COURSE CURRICULUM

The course modules are designed to provide both theoretical depth and practical engagement with the study of objects, images and material culture across different contexts. Core modules such as Exploring Objects and Mediating Objects introduce students to critical methods of analysing artefacts, visual media and spaces, examining how meanings are constructed, communicated and transformed through design and cultural production. The Independent Study: Extended Essay allows students to pursue a specialist topic of personal interest in greater depth, while the Dissertation represents the culmination of the course, where students conduct an original piece of research within the field of design history or visual culture. Optional modules, including Critical Perspectives on Exhibitions, Issues in Graphic Design: Modernity, Identity and Meaning, and History of Fashion and Dress: New Directions, offer the opportunity to tailor learning toward individual interests and career aspirations. These options explore the curatorial, communicative and cultural dimensions of design, fashion and media, providing a multidisciplinary framework for understanding visual and material culture. Together, the modules equip students with advanced analytical, research and critical thinking skills, preparing them for careers in museums, galleries, cultural institutions, or further academic study within the creative and heritage sectors.