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Module Specifications

Academic Year 2026 - 2027

Module Title Women and Cultural Creation
Module Code CUS1038
Faculty Humanities & Social Sciences School Communications
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Description

This module aims to explore the key theoretical, historical, contextual, and industry debates and trends concerning women, feminism, and cultural creation. The focus will be on (a) sketching out the arguments and discussions around the importance of creative and cultural practice and the implication of women’s under-representation from these realms and (b) focusing on specific creative fields, the second half of the module looks at the current landscape of women’s involvement in cultural creation and the ways in which women have sought to carve out a space for their own creative practice. The nature of this course is interdisciplinary and, as such, readings and resources are drawn from feminist studies, cultural studies, media studies, sociology, industry reports, and the work of creative women in various spheres.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of key theoretical debates and concepts connected to the subjects of creativity, creative 'genius', and artistic work and practice
2. Evaluate the various waves of feminist thought, critique, and activism from the first to the fourth waves
3. Identify and articulate arguments of feminist thinkers, scholars, and commentators on the topic of women’s creative and cultural output, work, and lives
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the current state-of-play in several creative fields with respect to women’s involvement and representation
5. Develop an appreciation for the creativity of various female artists, musicians, cultural practitioners


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture22Weekly sessions
Independent Study60Research and reading
Assignment Completion43Assignments x2: planning, research, completion.
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN21461Part of TermSemester 2
Coursework100%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsN
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorAileen O'DriscollModule Teacher
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reflective journalReflection Paper30%n/a
AssignmentEnd of Semester Assignment70%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.

* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

1. PART I
Theory and Context

Week 1
Introduction: Women, Creativity, and Creative work

Week 2
Inside the Creative & Cultural Industries

Week 3
A Brief History of Women and Cultural Creation

Week 4
Feminist Theory 1: First and Second Wave Feminism

Week 5
Feminist Theory 2: Third and Fourth Wave Feminism

Week 6
Reflections and In-Class Activities

Week 7
Reading Week Students should catch up on lecture readings and review

2. Part II
Creating Culture: An Overview of Practice & Research

Week 8
Women and Music

Week 9
Women and Film / Television

Week 10
Women and Literature

Week 11
Women in Advertising and Fashion

Week 12
Module Review and Recap

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • O'Driscoll, Aileen: 2023, Creative Women in Ireland: Not Your Muse, Routledge, London,
  • Conor, Bridget; Gill, Rosalind; and Taylor, Stephanie: 2015, Gender and creative labour, Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester,
  • Gill, Rosalind: 2007, Gender and the Media, Polity Press,
  • Cameron, Deborah: 2018, Feminism, Profile Books,
  • Hesmondhalgh, David and Baker, Sarah: 2010, Creative labour: media work in three cultural industries, Routledge,
  • Hesmondhalgh, David: 2007, The cultural industries, (2nd edition), SAGE, Los Angeles; London,
  • Scott, Allen John; Power, Dominic: 2004, Cultural industries and the production of culture, Routledge, London; New York,
  • Tong, Rosemarie Putnam: 1998, Feminist Thought, (2nd edition), Westview Press,
  • van Zoonen, L: 1994, Feminist Media Studies, SAGE,


Articles:
  • Reis, Sally: 2002, Toward a Theory of Creativity in Diverse Creative Women, Creativity Research Journal, 14:3-4, 524266
  • 2015: A New Mystique? Working for Yourself in the Neoliberal Economy, The Sociological Review, 63,
Other Resources

  • 1: Website, John Berger, 1972, Ways of Seeing Episode 2: Nude or Naked,

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