Module manager: Patrick Glen
Email: P.Glen@Leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Creative industries are often associated with novelty and newness, however exploring the lasting influence of global histories can offer deeper insights. From movable type to streaming platforms, this module investigates how technological changes shaped cultural production, distribution and consumption. We will critically analyse changes and continuities that affected people, cultures and societies who undertook creative work, consumed culture and creative products. Accordingly, you will learn how scholars understood and debated these continuities and changes.
Each week we will critically explore case studies which focus on an aspect of technological innovation in the cultural and creative industries and global patterns of their adoption and use. We will examine these changes in the cultural and creative industries in relation to their broader social, cultural and economic impacts. This will provide you with:
1) A critical overview of historical perspectives and historiography concerning the growth of the global cultural and creative industries, the role of technology and its impacts on culture and society;
2) Chances to analyse the production, context, distribution and reception of primary texts (from the first printed pamphlets, to video games and AI) to develop your own interpretations of the history and significance of technological changes in the cultural and creative industries in relation to the existing histories.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Understand of historical perspectives on theories, concepts and debates relevant to the global cultural and creative industries
2. Analyse the significance and effects of technological changes in the cultural and creative industries from the past and present
3. Analyse primary sources to interrogate theories of change and continuity in the cultural industries
4. Evaluate why historical forces have accelerated or hampered the growth of cultural and creative industries in different global contexts with reference to non-metropolitan and post-colonial cultures.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Demonstrate critical thinking through the ability to weigh up different arguments and perspectives.
6. Demonstrate information, data and media literacies by finding, evaluating, organising and sharing information across a variety of formats and media.
Competence Standards
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following competence standards:
1. The ability to apply relevant theories and concepts to assignments, demonstrating an understanding of the significance and limitations of theory and research.
2. The ability to explain how they made decisions about choice of primary sources, historical approaches, and methods. Takes a systematic approach and the logical and practical steps necessary to apply complex concepts to global problems.
3. Ability to form logical, reasonable arguments/conclusions based on evidence.
4. Development of organisational, reading, note-taking, presentation and writing skills.
5. Understanding of continuity and change over time.
You will learn how scholars from around the world understand technological changes in the cultural and creative industries and the historiographical disputes that arise from their arguments. You will be guided through accounts of the roles of the cultural and creative industries in relation to wider society, culture and politics in a variety of national and transnational contexts. Then, in seminars, an archival field trip and assignments, you will be challenged to analyse and interpret primary sources and historical evidence to adjudicate upon the historiographical debates introduced in lectures. You will demonstrate your learning in this module through a presentation and essay.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 2 | 0.3 | 0.7 |
| Lecture | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| Practical | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Seminar | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| Private study hours | 179.3 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.7 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will be given chances to receive formative feedback in seminars from their peers and seminar tutors.
They will also attend a 20-minute group tutorial before their group presentation and an individual 20-minute tutorial before submitting their essay.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation | Presentation | 35 |
| Essay | Essay | 65 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team