See the suggested introductory readings for the 2008 Master of Arts in Cultural Studies.
Overview
The MACS curriculum builds foundational knowledge of different forms of cultural studies inquiry, with a special emphasis on participatory action research strategies and diverse forms of community collaboration. The two-year, cohort-based program draws on the existing and emerging strengths, interests, and experiences of students and faculty alike. The program's curriculum and its learning environment are intentionally collaborative, generative, and flexible.
MACS is a student-driven and project-based program. At every stage, we have designed the curriculum to build on the energy and resources that students bring to the program. It will work equally well for students whose background is largely academic and those with extensive professional experience. Our aim is to provide MACS students with multiple opportunities to develop a rich toolkit of skills and a vital network of professional and community relationships that will enhance their future careers across a range of arts and cultural practices and fields.
Year One
As a MACS student, you will begin with a pre-fall quarter conference with members of the program faculty and staff. This conference will introduce you to program resources and requirements by helping you to chart a path through the two years, including your choice of electives and consideration of community-based research opportunities. The first-year core courses will orient you to the field of cultural studies, introduce you to our three core research methodologies, and develop among your cohort skills in collaboration.
Year Two
Before you begin year two, you will have a second pre-fall quarter conference with the faculty members overseeing your capstone project. Along with informal mentoring, this meeting will ensure that you have everything you need to complete your capstone project and program portfolio successfully. The second-year courses will launch you, either individually or in project teams, on an arc that leads from project idea and creation to execution and evaluation. In addition to the 40 credits that make up the two-year core curriculum, you will enroll in 20 credits of electives that enhance your research interests and capstone projects.
Core and Affiliate Faculty:
Bruce Burgett, Michael Goldberg, David Goldstein, Jeanne Heuving, Bruce Kochis, Ron Krabill, Kari Lerum, Bill Seaburg, Eric Stewart, Elizabeth Thomas, Rob Turner, and Linda Watts.
Faculty Convener
Core and Affiliate Staff:
Andreas Brockhaus, Andrew Brusletten, Sarah Leadley, and Becky Rosenberg
MACS Core Courses (40 required credits offered during evenings):
BCULST 500: Formations of Cultural Studies (10 credits): Focuses historical and contemporary forms of cultural studies inquiry, with an emphasis on the local and global questions and problems that shape that inquiry. Combines classroom seminars with site visits and workshops.
BCULST 501: Cultural Studies Research Practices (5 credits): Focuses on interactions of ethnographic, textual, and performance-based research methods, with special emphasis on participatory action research strategies. Combines theoretical considerations and experiential learning.
BCULST 502: Cultural Studies as Collaboration (5 credits): Focuses on diverse theories and practices of collaboration, with an emphasis on ethical and political considerations. Links academic collaboration to community-based participatory research design.
BCULST 510: Capstone Design Seminar (5 credits): Focuses on the design, development, and piloting of students' individual or collaborative capstone projects. Initiates the first phase of the capstone project.
BCULST 511: Capstone Research Seminar (5 credits): Focuses on further development of students' individual or collaborative capstone projects. Represents the second stage of the capstone project.
BCULST 512: Capstone Project Advising and Colloquium (10 credits): Focuses on the completion and public presentation of the students' individual or collaborative capstone projects, including the annual MA symposium and the completion of the individual student's program portfolio.
MACS Elective Courses (20 elective credits offered during evenings and days):
BCULST 520: Cultural Studies Internship (2-10 credits)
BCULST 580: Approaches to Ethnographic Research (5, max. 10)
BCULST 581: Approaches to Textual Research (5, max. 10)
BCULST 582: Approaches to Performance-based Research (5, max. 10)
BCULST 583: Issues in Public History and Culture (5, max. 10)
BCULST 584: Issues in Media Culture (5, max. 10)
BCULST 585: Issues in Cultural Activism and Advocacy (5, max. 10)
BCULST 586: Issues in Arts and Cultural Policy (5, max 10)
BCULST 587: Issues in Cultural and Arts Practice (5, max 10)
BCULST 588: Issues in Culture and Diversity (5, max 10)
BCULST 589: Issues in Global Cultural Studies (5, max 10)
BCULST 591: Cultural Studies Research Colloquium (1-2, max 6 credits)
BCULST 592: Topics in Cultural Research (3-5, max. 10)
BCULST 593: Topics in Cultural Studies (3-5, max. 10)
BCULST 594: Research Design (5)
BCULST 596: Study Abroad (5-15 credits)
BCULST 598: Directed Research (1-5, max. 15)
BCULST 492: Topics in Cultural Research (3-5, max. 10)
NOTE: With program approval, MACS students may also receive elective credit for other 500 and 400-level courses in IAS and other departments and schools at the UW.
