The aim of Understanding Contemporary Cultures (UCC) is to work both collaboratively and independently, exploring and examining the intersection of capitalism, consumerism and culture. As one of three mandatory units, you will meet and engage with all students across the UAL Study Abroad programme from CSM, LCC and LCF to build networks, and creative communities.
During this project you will research key concepts, debates and terminology related to contemporary visual cultures, values of perception and the luxury consumer industries. You may focus on any creative sector, product, or area, i.e., fashion, perfume, cars, yacht, sportswear, technology, hotels, coffee, chocolate, champagne etc that you can critically analyse and bring debate around one of these four key themes:
- Luxury Narratives
- Sustainable Narratives
- Representing Diverse Narratives
- Global Narratives
At all times, you are encouraged to think critically, researching aspects (sometimes controversial, and provocative) of consumerism from European / Global North/South social contexts, examining a variety of different ideals and philosophies as you approach theory and interpretation from, but not limited to:
Taste and consumption. Impact of mass culture. Gender, identity. Ethnicity, heritage. Class, socioeconomics. Climate – sustainability, and regeneration and more.
In small groups you will devise a speculative elevator pitch where you have a short amount of time to convince a magazine editor to publish your findings in their upcoming publication. You will then develop your findings and research further into an individual critical essay.
Overall, this unit will bridge your professional practice and industry awareness. It will broaden your knowledge and research skillset for professional working-life after graduation, and as you eventually head out to your creative industries. You will research and consider climate, racial and / or social purpose principles to connect your ideas and research.