Postgraduate Diploma in Cultural Studies
Graduate Programme in Cultural Studies | MA in Cultural Studies |
MPhil in Cultural Studies | PhD in Cultural Studies | Course Descriptions
The Diploma in Cultural Studies fills the need for partnership between UWI and the wider Caribbean community in a specific way thereby strengthening the role of the University in answering the needs of individuals active in cultural agencies, in creating or administering policy, or in the arts. It provides a bridge between the undergraduate offerings and the graduate MA programme and research degrees in Cultural Studies currently offered on the three campuses.
The Diploma provides a preliminary tool for processing and understanding the myriad issues surrounding the study of culture broadly, and Caribbean culture more specifically. It is a teaching tool which offers certification for those involved in the field of culture, some of whom are experts in their own right, and who are seeking university certification. It seeks to afford these interested individuals the opportunity to explore a wide array of cultural expressions as they are manifested within the Caribbean and beyond. The Diploma also offers exposure to theoretical frameworks in Cultural Studies and affords an analysis of the significance of Caribbean culture to development, planning and policy making.
Upon completion of this programme, students will be able to:
1. Analyse key dimensions of culture.
2. examine a wide array of cultural expressions as they are manifested within the Caribbean and its Diaspora.
3. examine perspectives from seminal written, creative and artistic works in the field.
4. collaborate and network with cultural workers and artists.
5. enhance and interpret their cultural products using the benefit of the scholarly process.
6. utilise the techniques of cultural analysis in developing frameworks for examining the dynamics within Caribbean culture.
7. undertake higher level graduate studies in culture.
Degree Requirements
Students must complete 25 credits for the Diploma in Cultural Studies to be distributed as follows:
| 2 Core Courses |
1 x 4 credits |
8 credits |
| 1 Core Course |
1 x 8 credits |
8 credits |
| Research Paper / Project |
9 credits |
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Total = 25 credits |
Research Component
Upon completion of their coursework (particularly CLTR 6500), candidates should submit to the Coordinator of the Cultural Studies Programme a research proposal which includes: (i) the title; (ii) rationale (iii) literature survey (iv) research questions/focus and (v) description of investigative procedures for the research study. Once the proposal has been approved, a Supervisor will be appointed to guide the candidate in her/his research.
For the research component, candidates will have the option of presenting EITHER a research paper, OR a project.
Research Paper
The research paper must be 12000 words in length, exclusive of bibliography and footnotes.
Project
Candidates can present their findings as follows: as performance, as a documentary, as video/film, as a work of art. Other formats can be employed, subject to the approval of the supervisor. The project must be presented with an accompanying analysis of not less than 8000 words, exclusive of bibliography and footnotes.
Two internal examiners will assess the research study.
The Diploma is a taught graduate degree that will be offered on a part-time basis. Candidates must complete these requirements within twelve (12) months of the start of the programme. They will be required to complete three (3) courses and the research component during that period. All courses are of 36 hours duration (12 weeks x 3 hours)
- CLTR 6030 - Dynamics of Caribbean Culture
- CLTR 6230 - Caribbean Popular and Creative Culture
- CLTR 6500 - Research Methodology for Cultural Practitioners.
