Arts and Humanities in the Contemporary World

Overview

The role of the arts and the humanities in the twenty-first century, and how they are intrinsic to the shaping of society, are the central concerns of this module. It examines the multiple historical, practical, and theoretical applications of the arts and humanities disciplines in a range of public fora. Practitioners from relevant arts sector institutions (e.g. the Ulster Museum, the Ulster Hall, the Arts Council) will share theory and praxis experience in their current roles while creative practitioners (e.g. artists, broadcasters, musicians, photographers, writers) will also contribute to the students’ developing conceptions of the public roles of their disciplines. Students will debate questions such as the value of the arts and of the humanities, social, economic and personal benefit, the importance of outreach activities, civic responsibility and citizenship, and the increasing role of impact in terms of a University’s research and education agendas.

Learning Objectives

On completion of this module students will:
(i) have a developed awareness of the multiple public roles of the arts and humanities;
(ii) demonstrate critical understanding of how their discipline contributes to the contemporary world;
(iii) be able to advocate for the arts and humanities as key components of any society;
(iv) understand the challenges facing and opportunities for the arts and humanities in the twenty-first century;
(v) gain practical as well as theoretical insight into the how arts and humanities disciplines engage with and facilitate the local arts sector and the wider knowledge economy.

Skills

(i) develop awareness of the roles that arts and humanities subjects play in the wider world;
(ii) practical skills relevant to degree discipline and future career planning;
(iii) effective communication and group work skills;
(iv) examine the contribution of student’s degree pathway to wider society;
(v) ability to apply theoretical concepts of study to workplace scenarios;
(vi) articulation of the value of the arts and humanities in society.

Assessment

2500-word essay