History of Design and Material Culture MA

Program Overview

This program explores objects, images, and spaces from the 18th to 21st centuries, examining their construction and circulation within global cultures. Students develop theoretical frameworks, articulation skills, and research abilities through core modules, option modules, and individualized dissertation supervision. Graduates pursue careers in museums, academia, and research, leveraging transferable skills in historical design and material culture.

Program Outline

Understand how things are built and circulated within different global cultures, engaging with discussions on subjects like gender and identity, past and present, sustainable design and the Anthropocene alongside the decolonization and development of historical design.

Overall objectives and goals of the program:

• Understanding and utilizing contemporary theoretical frameworks within the interpretation of material worlds and myriad representations.
• Cultivating students' skills of expression and articulation via seminar work, close reading, and wide-ranging discussions.
• Supporting students in pursuing their own research interests through individualized supervision for their 18,000 to 20,000 word dissertations based on archival investigations or ethnographic studies.

Outline:

Content, curriculum, and composition of the courses:

Structure and framework of instruction:

• Two core modules constituting 20 credits each, Exploring Objects and Mediating Objects, equip students to grasp and work with current theoretical frameworks related to materiality and visual interpretations.
• Developing skills of expression and articulation through a combination of seminar work, close readings, and extensive discussions.
• Research Methods module providing 20 credits and leading to your dissertation (18,000-20,000 words), an intensive piece of scholarship rooted in either archival research or ethnographic investigation.
• A further three option modules totaling 30 credits can be chosen, focusing on specific elements like textiles, graphics, exhibitions, or broader studies in history, politics, and philosophy.

Assessment

Evaluations and how your progress would be measured:

• Dissertations assessed by two tutors with expertise relevant to your research topic.
• Essays and coursework graded and provided feedback by the respective module instructors.

Teaching

How you receive instruction, faculty involved, and distinctive approaches to learning:

• Small class sessions fostering collaborative learning and active participation.
• Teaching performed by leading academics in the field, often publishing extensively on the subject of historical design and material culture.
• Close and individualized supervision from relevant experts for your dissertation project.

Careers

Potential career paths and prospects following graduation:

Several graduates have achieved prominent roles in organizations such as the Victoria & Albert Museum, Brighton & Hove Museums, and the Fashion and Textile Museum.

• This program has been highly regarded internationally and boasts a well-established academic staff, continually shaping the field of study.
• As part of the dynamic research community represented by the Centre for Design History, this course provides learning opportunities from experts specializing in fashion and dress history, photography, historical material, and decolonial design fields.

UK (full-time) 8,400 GBP International (full-time) 15,900 GBP