Information Management in the Cultural Sector  MSc / MA

Course Content

The MA/MSc IMCS course is a part of the Information Studies Scheme (ISS) and has several modules in common with MSc Information Science and MA/MSc Library Science. Students may be able to transfer between these courses during their first term.

Key features of all ISS courses include:

• balance between academic rigour and professional relevance
• focus on conceptual, philosophical and historical aspects, as a basis for reflective practice and life-long learning
• research-based teaching, emphasising the relevance of
research and critical evaluation for professional success
• use of practitioner lecturers to complement academic staff
• balance between face-to-face teaching, taking advantage of
our central London location, and e-learning support
• international outlook, with a possibility of study abroad
• collaboration with the main information-sector recruitment
agencies, to ensure course relevance and assist in
graduate employment.

Please see the ISS FAQs for further details.

Course Structure

The course involves study of 8 taught module, plus a dissertation. The modules generally offered are as follows.

From the Department of Information Science - four modules chosen from:

• Library and information science foundation
Gives a thorough introduction to the principles and concepts of the information sciences, and shows that these foundations underpin the practice of information science, librarianship, and other information disciplines. Emphasis is places on a historical perspective, and on current and future developments, showing how basic principles can be used to make sense of complicated and changing issues.

• Information resources and organisation
Gives an understanding of the principles and practice of the organization of information and knowledge. Topics covered include metadata, cataloguing and resource description, classification and taxonomy, subject headings and thesauri, indexing and abstracting, and construction of controlled vocabularies.

• Digital libraries
Introduces and exemplifies the principles of digital libraries, in terms of functions, services and characteristics, creation and management, digitization and preservation, access and interfaces, search, and evaluation.

• Digital information technologies and architecture
Provides the technical background required to store, structure, manage and share information effectively. Topics include: introduction to computing, internet and web, database systems and searching, Web 2.0 technologies (blogs, wikis, etc.), semantic web, information architecture

• Independent study (this can be undertaken in place of one of the above modules in certain cases)
Allows students to undertake individual in-depth study of a topic which is not fully covered by other modules, and which is appropriate for independent literature-based research. Topics are chosen by agreement between student and supervisor.

From the Centre for Cultural Policy and Management:

• Culture, policy and management - frames of reference
This module specifically addresses the questions: what is meant by culture; what is policy; what is management; and what is the relationship between them? It provides you with frames of reference for the study and understanding of culture, policy and management within the context of the UK cultural sector in particular.

It focuses on issues that inform ideas about culture, governance, policy and management; identifies key texts that are central to current debates; and introduces you to analytical and critical skills that are fundamental to working in the cultural sector.The contemporary context is set within a historical overview ofthe development of cultural theory and policy practice.

• Cultural portfolio: critical immersion and professional development
This module encapsulates the ethos of the Culture, Policy and Management MA and sets it in a professional context. It comprises of two components:
* one component enables you todevise your own pathway plant hrough the MA (in consultation with your tutor) to prepare youfor your subsequent career
* the other component encourages you to immerse yourself within your chosen area of cultural activity through writing a series of critical reviews.
As cultural sector professionals, you not only need to know about arts and cultural institutions, but must be a competent writer and presenter. Learning to write and communicate is important. It teaches thinking - the organisation and structuring of ideas into a coherent argument.

• Digital cultures
In this module you will explore the claims being made for so-called 'new' media in culture.Do they represent a shift toward more democratic and participatory engagement? What happens to the when and where of this engagement? How is policy changing in order to reflect this paradigm shift? What are the implications for cultural managers? You will explore these questions using practical examples.

Plus one chosen from a wide range which typically includes:

• Audiences and marketing
This module introduces you to the knowledge and skills needed to consider the function of marketing in a creative and cultural organisation from a strategic perspective.In this module we explore the factors that influence arts/cultural consumption in its diverse forms and examine appropriate ways in which cultural and creative organisations market themselves effectively and productively.

• Communications, fundraising and advocacy
In this module you will critically examine the context within which impact, evaluation and monitoring form different perspectives.You will also explore the design and specification of impact assessments and evaluation and any relevant methodological issues, as well as how to make constructive use of evaluative results.

• Comparative international models of cultural policy
Professionals in the cultural sector increasingly need to know about and understand the international context within which they work, especially if they are seeking operational partnerships and funding outside their own countries.In examining various models of cultural policy, this module considers how cultural agencies have established, and are establishing, binding international 'conventions' and professional networks.This module will provide you with a basis for understanding and interpreting the public policy context affecting culture and heritage from the end of WWII to the changing pressures of today across Europe and internationally.

• Cultural planning
In this module you will explore the historic roots of cultural planning, and examine current UK urban and cultural policy along with examples of implementation at both national and local level.

• Currents of criticism
In this module you will consider various central debates in current art theory and criticism by examining some of the main strands of thought that inform interpretations of modern and contemporary culture.

• Education and learning in the cultural sector
This module will help you to understand debates about access and participation as instruments of cultural policy. You will explore why education has moved from the periphery to being a central activity in the cultural sphere.

• Financial planning and entrepreneurialism
In this module you will develop an understanding of the financial management of arts organisations, which will help to inform your business planning and improve your capacity to deliver effectively.As cultural organisations increasingly depend on income from anumber of sources, including self-generated income, you will also need to be able to draw on entrepreneurial skills, which form the second component of this module.

• Evaluation, politics and advocacy
In this module you will critically examine the context within which impact, evaluation and monitoring form different perspectives.You will also explore the design and specification of impact assessments and evaluation and any relevant methodological issues, as well as how to make constructive use of evaluative results.

• Managing organisations
This module aims to help you perform competently in the changing arts and cultural environment. Given the risks faced by anyone managing a cultural organisation today, crucial issues include sustainability, the ability to foster solid management systems and how to ensure the delivery of high quality and successful cultural products.Strategic management requires that these considerations are addressed through new forms of decision making, effective planning and ways of working, all of which you will explore in this module.

• Managing people
This module is based on the premise that human resource management competencies and skills are not only relevant to human resource professionals, but to all individuals and managers, including those with supervisory responsibilities and more general management portfolios.You will explore the theoretical and practical aspects of managing, creative, operational and managerial personnel.

• Post-colonial agendas the culture of politics
In this module you will reflect on the institutional management of culture and the arts. You will explore how notions of 'the other' affect policy, management and criticism.

• Programming
In this module you will use a wide variety of case studies to explore current programming across a range of different types of organisation and cultural activity.This will cover everything from large international festivals to the work of single artists, or the content of an evening's entertainment through to year-long series of events.

• Contemporary UK cultural policy
This module explores the rationale of government funding to the cultural sector, the implementation of policies, through the workings of central and regional government agencies and local government, and their shaping of cultural provision.