Courses offered by the Intitute of Culture Studies, University of Bialystok, Poland
STUDENT
The Faculty comprises of: the Department of Anthropology of Culture, the Department of Culture and Media Studies, the Department of Contemporary Culture and Film Studies. The Faculty offers prospective students a programme in cultural studies (full-time BA and MA studies) as well as six specializations: media and communication, advertising and public relations (BA level), communication in digital media, the culture of the Podlasie region, film studies and art criticism (MA level). Specializations enable the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills, such as creating effective advertising campaigns, developing one's photography and film skill set, creating digital media content, learning about the cultural heritage of the region or the mechanisms of the art market.
BA Studies (3 year course)
BA studies last six semesters. The number of hours of classes is 1800.
The number of ECTS credits equals 180.
BA studies focus on practical skills which is reflected in specializations that students can choose from:
media and communication;
The curriculum is divided into 3 components: general subjects, major subjects, and subjects related to specialization. General subjects (history of philosophy, history of culture, sociology of culture, cultural communication) focus on humanisties in a broad sense, major subjects (theory of culture, audio-visual culture, cultural animation) focus on chosen topics concerning culture, and subjects related to specialization focus on practical skills.
Other important areas of knowledge about culture which are included in the curriculum are: problems of contemporary culture, audio-visual culture, pop culture, regional culture, culture of the united Europe. The programme offers a prospective study on the problems of the culture of Central and Eastern Europe.
Full-time studies last 4 semesters. The number of class hours is 800.
The amount of ECTS points is 120.
MA studies (2 year course)
MA cultural studies are intended for graduates of faculties in the humanities or social undergraduate studies. The aim of the studies is to prepare graduates for independent participation in various forms of cultural activity. In addition to the expanded knowledge of cultural anthropology, cultural philosophy, art theory, methods of cultural studies, methods of field research and the culture market, interpretation of cultural texts, students have the opportunity to develop their interests and practical skills in one of four specialties:
Communication in Digital Media
Podlasie
Film Studies
Art Criticism
The specialisation benefits from a few conditions. First of all, from the specificity of interdisciplinary research conducted by the Białystok cultural community. Secondly, the cultural diversity of Podlasie, based on the tradition of cultures meeting, requires conducting research on the culture of the region and preparing specialists for work in local cultural institutions. Thirdly, the proposed specialties fit, as we assume, the needs of the local labour market.
The graduate is prepared for active and independent work in institutions and organizations related to culture. In addition, they have gained habits of lifelong learning and professional development and are prepared to take up research challenges and undertake third degree (doctoral) studies.
Recruitment
Nowadays Cultural Studies offer many opportunities. They allow students to gain broad knowledge, teach creative activity, which is now a significant element in career development. As is shown by the research conducted by professor Richard Cichocki from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Cultural Studies graduates perform really well on the job market, because Cultural Studies give them opportunities to take up different jobs and find an attractive position.
Culture experts work as TV, newspaper, radio and Internet journalists. They deal with advertisement and public relations. They are culture animators in museums, community centres and art galleries. They become artists. They find jobs at universities. They work in banking and trade, usually as specialists in social communication.
The Culture Studies candidate should remember that this course gives opportunities which each person should notice and make use of on his or her own. During the whole education one can learn a foreign language and basics of journalism, learn about the know-how of conducting field research, ways of analysing media coverage and the rules concerning professional photography, controlling the camera or using graphic programmes, as well as many other useful skills. Apart from acquiring particular practical skills, students will also learn about philosophy, cultural anthropology, and theory of culture, history of art and film, history and theory of theatre. The course teaches abstract thinking, creative insight into the world around us, and most of all learning new things quickly. They are all the most useful skills on the unstable labour market.
Courses – varies depending on the academic year
