Master of Cultural Economy

The Master of Cultural Economy is for students working at the crossroads of culture, economy and government. The cultural economy is a highly diverse sector, characterised by a complex ecosystem in which cultural and economic goals and dynamics combine in ways that transgress traditional disciplinary and policy boundaries.

This course provides an overall guide to this cultural economy and the individual roadmaps needed to achieve different career ambitions within it. This might be work in the independent arts and creative/cultural industries; working in cultural policy, urban regeneration and branding and community development; and/or seeking to place cultural economies in an historical context and understand its implications for contemporary practice. The course includes approaches to cultural economy, the structures and dynamics of creative industries, creative cities, contemporary arts practices, culture and sustainable development and an optional study trip to Shanghai. Students will have various opportunities to meet local practitioners and experts as well as undertake in-depth analysis of individual cultural industries, cultural projects and international case studies. A further option exists for domestic and international internships.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

1. construct a broad overview of contemporary issues in cultural economy
2. display an appreciation of the specific and practical challenges and opportunities for cultural economies in a range of areas, from individual businesses to large scale cultural projects
3. apply independent research skills to a range of problems in the field, using case studies and fieldwork to identify and investigate concrete challenges and issues in creative businesses and policy development and implementation
4. display a high level of written and oral communication skills to a variety of (academic, policy, industry, community) audiences
5. situate research and practice in a wider international context
6. demonstrate a thorough understanding of research methodology and ethics, and ability to undertake an independent research project.

The course is structured in three parts. Part A. Foundations for advanced cultural economy studies, Part B. Core master's study and Part C. Advanced expertise. All students complete Part B. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A or Part C or a combination of the two.

Note that if you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit.

Part A. Foundations for advanced cultural economy studies (24 points)

These studies will introduce you to cultural economy studies at advanced undergraduate or graduate level. They are intended for students whose previous qualification is not in a cognate field.

Part B. Core master's study (48 points)

These studies draw on best practices within the broad realm of cultural economy studies practice and research to further your understanding of the complex ecosystem in which cultural and economic goals and dynamics combine in ways that transgress traditional disciplinary and policy boundaries.

Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points)

The focus of these studies is professional or scholarly work that can contribute to a portfolio of professional development. You have two options.

The first option is a program of coursework study where you select the units to suit your own interests. This option includes the opportunity to undertake an internship in the field.

The second option is a 24 point research thesis. Students wishing to use this master's course as a pathway to a higher degree by research should take this second option.

Students admitted to the course, who have a recognised honours degree in a cognate discipline including humanities or social sciences, will receive credit for Part C, however, should they wish to complete a 24 point research project as part of the course they should consult with the course coordinator.

The course comprises 96 points structured into three parts: Part A. Foundations for advanced cultural economy studies (24 points), Part B. Core master's study (48 points) and Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points).

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course:

• Students admitted at Entry level 1 complete 96 points, comprising Part A, Part B and Part C.
• Students admitted at Entry level 2 complete 72 points, comprising Part B and Part C.
• Students admitted at Entry level 3 complete 48 points, comprising Part B.

Note: Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

Unless otherwise stated, units with codes beginning with ATS are 6 points, and units with codes beginning with APG/MGF are 12 points.

Part A. Foundations for advanced cultural economy studies (24 points)

Students complete:

a. Unit(s) (12 points) from the following, taken during the first full time equivalent year of study:

• ATS2436 New media: From The Telegraph to Twitter
• ATS2439 Youth media: Understanding media research
• ATS2440 The public sphere
• ATS2490 Advanced professional writing
• ATS2633 Global cities: Past, present and future
• ATS2784 News and power
• ATS3539 Asian cinema and television
• ATS3732 Communications and media studies: Contemporary debates
• ATS3781 English as an international language: Writing across cultures
• APG5050 Communication research methods
• MGF5991 Professional development - Career dynamics

b. One unit (12 points) from the electives listed in Part C

Part B. Core master's study (48 points)

Students complete:

a. The following units (24 points):

• APG5662 Cultural and creative industries
• APG5900 Cultural economy

b. The following capstone unit (12 points):

• APG5856 Research project*

* Students electing to take the research option in Part C(a) may consider that as their capstone and replace the capstone requirement with one of the electives in Part C. They should not complete both the research thesis and APG5856. Students admitted to the course at Entry level 3 who wish to complete the 24 point research thesis in Part C(a) should consult with the course coordinator.

c. One unit (12 points) from the electives listed in Part C

Part C. Advanced expertise (24 points)

Students complete either a. or b. below

a. The following unit/s:

• APG5848 Research thesis (24 points)** or APG5849 Research thesis A (12 points) and APG5850 Research thesis B (12 points)**

** Students admitted to the course at Entry level 3 who wish to complete this 24 point research thesis should consult with the course coordinator.

b. Two elective units (24 points) from the following:

• APG5018 Celebrity, fashion, publicity
• APG5044 Professional internship
• APG5066 Shanghai city lab
• APG5067 Cultural economy and sustainable development
• APG5068 Creative cities
• APG5397 Media, technologies and social change
• APG5398 New communications media
• APG5401 Media empires and entrepreneurs
• APG5720 Cultural tourism and events management
• APG5782 Film festival study tour

Students entering at Entry levels 1 and 2 can complete a research thesis (24 points) that will provide a pathway to a higher degree by research. Students entering at entry level 3 will normally already have an honours degree, however, students in this group who wish to complete a research thesis in communications and media studies should discuss the options with the course coordinator

Students may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided they have satisfied the requirements indicated for that award during their enrolment in this master's course:

• Graduate Certificate in Arts after successful completion of 24 credit points of study with a minimum of 18 credit points at level 4 or above
• Graduate Diploma in Arts after successful completion 48 credit points of study with a minimum of 36 credit points at level 4 or above.