Assessment 1: Academic Poster
You will produce an A3 size academic-style poster that explores a cultural, social, or historical context within the creative industries. The poster should demonstrate emerging research skills through the selection and analysis of images, objects, films, sounds, or case studies, supported by appropriate sources. You will be introduced to introductory referencing practices and ethical considerations, including representation and authorship. The assessment focuses on clarity of ideas, visual communication, and your ability to explain how cultural context influences creative work.

Assessment 2: Reflection
You will submit a reflection evaluating your learning across the module, including your engagement with research, contextual analysis, and early academic practices. The reflection should demonstrate an understanding of what reflective thinking means at HE level and include reflection on your developing skills, challenges, and learning behaviours. You are encouraged to reflect on ethical awareness, use of sources, and insights gained from formative activities such as the early team-building challenge. The emphasis is on self-evaluation, clarity of reflection, and evidence of learning progression.

Formative Assessment:
Midway formative feedback will be embedded within practical sessions, providing structured opportunities for feedback on work-in-progress to support student development and progression.

- Introduction to cultural, social, and historical contexts within creative industries
- Understanding how culture influences creative ideas and outputs
- Exploring subcultures, identity, representation, and everyday visual/sound culture
- Introduction to analysing images, objects, films, and sounds
- Developing introductory research skills and curiosity
- Early team-building challenge to support belonging and peer connection (formative)
- Introduction to academic behaviours and expectations
- Understanding what “critical thinking” means at HE level
- Introductory referencing awareness and use of sources
- Ethical awareness in creative work, including representation and authorship
- Introduction to reflective writing and self-evaluation

1. Apply research methods to investigate cultural, social, or historical influences on creative practice.

Programme Learning Outcome: Research Skills

2. Communicate contextual ideas to academic and non-specialist audiences using appropriate formats.

Programme Learning Outcome: Communication

3. Analyse sources with attention to accuracy, representation, ethics, and cultural context, and share findings collaboratively with peers to inform creative or professional practice.

Programme Learning Outcome: Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

4. Reflect on how contextual understanding influences your emerging creative identity.

Programme Learning Outcome: Reflection

Lectures
Seminar discussions
Tutorials
Drop-in support sessions
Group work

- Student Life https://www.youtube.com/@uniofstaffsstudentlife/videos
- University Careers https://staffs.careercentre.me/Members
- University Library https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/library
- Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant
- CAD Labs
- Betty Smithers Design collection

Benshoff, H. M. and Griffin, S. (2024) Film and television analysis. 2nd edn. London: Routledge.

Burgess, R. J. (2014) The history of music production. New York: Oxford University Press.

Collins, H. (2025) Creative research: Research theory and practice for the creative industries. 3rd edn. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.

Cottrell, S. (2024) The study skills handbook. 6th edn. London: Bloomsbury Academic.

Graham-Dixon, A. (2023) Art: The definitive visual guide. London: DK.

McDermott, C. (2004) Design museum: 20th-century design. London: Carlton Books.

Storey, J. (2024) Cultural theory and popular culture: An introduction. 10th edn. London: Routledge.

Where older texts are included, they are retained as foundational texts within the discipline, remaining relevant where no more recent equivalent texts are available.

This module introduces you to the cultural, historical, and social contexts that influence creative work. Through lectures, discussions, and research activities, you will explore themes such as identity, representation, subcultures, and creative movements. Early in the module, you will take part in a short team challenge to build confidence and connections with peers. The module develops essential research, writing, and study skills needed for higher education and creative practice.