Why study for a second degree in Cultural Studies?
Studying Cultural Studies II is an option for those who want to deepen their knowledge of culture, gain advanced analytical and practical competences and prepare for work in the cultural, media and creative industries. The study programme combines theory and practice, enabling you to understand contemporary cultural, media and arts phenomena and develop your research and creative skills.
The degree programme is designed for graduates of undergraduate programmes in the humanities or social sciences. The basis of cultural studies of the second degree consists of lectures and classes in cultural anthropology, anthropology of everyday life, philosophy of culture, art theory, as well as classes devoted to cultural studies methods, field research methods and the market of culture. An unquestionable attraction of the studies are numerous elective seminars - thematically diverse - and study tours around the Podlasie region. The general idea of the studies is to familiarise students with ways of researching and interpreting various phenomena of contemporary culture. The final stage of the studies is the writing of a master's thesis and its defence during the diploma examination. Graduates of the Master of Arts in Cultural Studies II degree programme receive a Master of Arts degree. One of the important objectives of the studies is to prepare students to undertake third-cycle (doctoral) studies upon completion, the final outcome of which is the preparation of a doctoral thesis.
Students can choose from 3 specialisations that allow them to develop their own interests while preparing them for a career after graduation:
- Communication in digital media
- Film Studies
- Culture and nature of Podlasie region
As part of the specialisation in Communication in Digital Media, students learn, among other things, about Internet marketing, social communication in digital media, practical issues of advertising in digital media, workshop problems of running a public relations campaign in digital media as well as about visual and performing arts, new media philosophy, communication behaviour in new media, and film and photography in digital media. They can also participate in creative writing and online journalism workshops.
In Film Studies, students are introduced to the problems of mobile media and social media, they learn about different theories of cinema, the history of Polish and general film, as well as television theory, practical issues of sound and music in film. In addition, they consider various issues related to contemporary cinema and carry out inter-media cultural projects.
Students choosing the specialisation Culture and Nature of Podlasie learn first of all about the multiculturalism of Podlasie - both that resulting from the heritage of the past and that conditioned by the present. They learn about the nature of Podlasie - among other things, through classes conducted by specialists from the Faculty of Biology of the University of Białystok. They become acquainted with ecophilosophy, cultural tourism in Podlasie, cultural animation in the context of the nature and art of Podlasie. In addition, they can participate in ethnographic and creative workshops - for example, learning about ancient rural weaving techniques.
Graduate profile or what qualifications you can gain after studying Cultural Studies (2nd level)
Above all, cultural studies develops a cognitive attitude towards the surrounding reality and, at the same time, the ability to continuously learn and think in an abstract way - which proves to be extremely useful in later professional work. Lectures and classes on the philosophy of culture, cultural anthropology, the anthropology of everyday life and the anthropology of the media contribute to this in particular. The studies also familiarise students with the tools that make it possible to analyse various phenomena of modern culture from different perspectives, which determine different research methods. Cultural studies of the second degree prepare for active, independent and creative work, above all in institutions and organisations related to culture. It also prepares you to work in any business that represents the creative industry - for example in marketing communication agencies, editorial offices of Internet portals or companies operating in the market. They also provide the necessary qualifications for undertaking third-level (doctoral) studies, which culminate in the preparation of a doctoral thesis.
The specialisation Communication in digital media, in addition to solid humanities knowledge at the level of university master's studies, provides an awareness of the mechanics of digital culture - with its benefits and threats. It provides knowledge that is useful in reflecting on digital culture, as well as essential when shaping it in practice. Workshop classes, during which students learn how to practically shape selected elements of digital culture, as well as the knowledge of visual and performing arts, art theory or literature acquired during studies, turn out to be important in this context.
The Film Studies specialisation allows students to learn and understand the specificity of contemporary audiovisual culture, which includes film and modern digital media and technologies. The aim of education in Film Studies is to prepare future film critics, film and television journalists dealing with film issues, as well as teachers - after acquiring pedagogical qualifications - specialising in film issues. Graduates of this specialisation are aware of the importance of new media in culture and their influence on social reality, and are able to use this knowledge in analytical reflection and practical activities.
Graduate of the specialisation Culture and Nature of Podlasie knows and understands the specific uniqueness of the contemporary regional culture as well as its historical conditions, at the same time being aware of its location in the context of nature. The aim of education in this specialisation is to prepare future cultural animators who are well acquainted with the culture of Podlasie and its nature, while understanding the latter in an ecological context, which is particularly important in today's world due to the growing importance of environmental protection, sustainable development and the need for harmonious coexistence between man and nature. Graduates after graduation are aware of the importance of local culture and its natural conditions, they are able to plan and implement animation projects in the local community environment using natural values, cultural heritage and cultural potential of Podlasie.
Where graduates of second-cycle cultural studies can work?
The specialisation Communication in digital media provides knowledge, competences and skills preparing for work, above all, in cultural institutions, especially in promotion departments, as well as in institutions representing the creative industry - in editorial offices of Internet portals, marketing agencies, advertising and PR agencies, as well as in strictly economic companies, for example in units dealing with contacts with the social environment.
Graduates of the specialisation Culture and Nature of Podlasie are prepared to work in various cultural and educational institutions in the role of an animator, educator and expert on the culture of the region and natural conditions of Podlasie. Graduates of the specialisation Culture and Nature of Podlasie are prepared to professionally deal with cultural animation in institutions such as cultural houses, galleries, museums, foundations and associations, allowing them to practice the profession of a cultural animator and an expert on the culture of Podlasie and its natural conditions.
Upon completion of the Film Studies specialisation, the graduate will have an in-depth knowledge of Polish and general film history, its theory and analysis. They will know the basics of the film critic's workshop, as well as assimilate extensive and structured knowledge of the relationship of film with other media and other fields of art. In addition to theoretical knowledge, the student acquires practical skills through participation in workshops and film screenings.
Second-cycle studies last four semesters.
The number of teaching hours is 800.
The number of ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits a student should obtain is 120.
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