Course content

For all students in cultural and media studies, understanding cultural policy in society and how cultural projects are developed, financed, and realized is key competence. Whether one envisions a career as an academic, manager, or practitioner in the cultural field, an understanding of cultural policy and the culture economy, as well as practical skills in formulating applications, will play a central role in ones professional practice after graduation. This course provides an introduction to this area through a reading list which is largely based on cultural policy documents from the current Norwegian cultural field.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

Upon successful completion of the course the student has knowledge of:

• various artistic and cultural areas in Norway.
• historical conditions for Norwegian cultural policy.
• key concepts in cultural policy.
• culture as economy and industry.
• the function and purpose of cultural funding programs, structures and processes at national, regional, and local levels.

Skills

Student who complete the course is able to:

• carry out tasks related to the planning of cultural projects, such as "pitching" of project ideas and writing applications.
• reflect critically on cultural policies and funding schemes.
• cooperate with participants in cultural projects.

Learning methods and activities

In addition to lectures and seminars led by the department's scholars, the course will include guests from the cultural field and visits to local cultural institutions.

Students are required to stay updated on messages from the department or course director via Blackboard.

Compulsory assignments

• Midterm presentation
• Obligatory participation 80 %

Required previous knowledge

Requires a bachelor's degree in humanities or social sciences.

Course materials

About 600 pages of cultural policy literature, cultural policy documents and project descriptions.