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MDS-10051 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

MDS-10051 - Becoming a Cultural Citizen
Coordinator: Rachel Wood
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

This module provides you with the foundational tools and skills you need to develop your student profile. You will learn about the different pathways in your cultural or creative field while developing your own identity as a cultural critic, creative, and citizen. You will explore and map out your personal and professional development goals and plans, ensuring you make the most of your time at university and beyond. You will gain professional skills in communication and team working.

Aims
This module aims to introduce students across creative subjects to ideas of 'cultural citizenship', allowing them to explore their identities, rights, and responsibilities as creative and cultural producers, critics, participants, and consumers. The module aims to support flexible exploration of various pathways and opportunities within cultural sectors and industries in order to allow students to consider their own goals, ambitions, and possible futures. Finally, the module examines cultural production and participation as a locus of social change and an important vector of political representation, equality diversity, and inclusion.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on the citizenship rights and responsibilities of participants in and producers of culture.: 1,2
Evaluate creative pathways and set development goals in ways that enhance their professional profile: 1
Express themselves culturally and creatively, both individually and through collaborative working.: 2
Show critical understanding of the importance of cultural representation and participation in terms of equality, diversity and inclusion.: 2

Study hours

24 hours workshops (12 x 2)
60 hours independent study and reading
20 hours preparation for assessment 1
46 hours group work and preparation for assessment 2

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Professional Development weighted 40%
Personal and professional development plan
Plan and produce a 800 word plan for your personal and professional development. Your plan should set realistic and specific aims, outcomes, and timeframes. It should be contextualised critically using the model of cultural citizenship explored on the module and including relevant literature.

2: Group Assessment weighted 60%
Interactive Blog
Collaborate with other students on the module (in small teams of 4-6 students) to produce an interactive blog showcasing culture news, commentary, and criticism in multi-media formats. Submit a short (500 word) individual critical reflection on your contribution to the blog, explaining how this was informed by ideas of cultural citizenship from the module and including relevant literature. Students will be assessed individually.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026