Design for Cultural Commons - PG Cert

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2020/21 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.

Year 1 modules include:

• all year (September start) - Monday afternoon

This module is practice-based and vocational as well as creative and innovative in developing new forms of practice. It will enable students to either develop a fully operational practice initiative within the discourse of commons or develop an imaginary one using real practice models. The module has components in form of lectures and seminars and one to one design tutorials where the concepts and ideas of the practice are formed. Within tutorials students discuss the role of partnerships, collaboration and co-production and their relationship to supporting institutions. Students will be encouraged to publicly present their practice in real-life scenarios. The course will already have key institutional partners which may not be obviously commons but will act as support to the development of the students’ ‘Commons’ practices/ initiatives.

The module aims to give students the power to imagine or create a practice within which to initiate their own commons projects, developing appropriate practice models based on the country and context in which they will be located. Students will devise appropriate practice policies related to equality, ethics and inclusivity and learn fund-raising skills. Students will gain a critical understanding of the role and position of their practice within the field of commons and as part of a larger global network. They will develop skills for co-operative and collaborative working and designing which sit within the commons discourse; and develop models to assess impact via monitoring and evaluation methods.

• autumn semester - Monday morning

This module sets the context, both theoretical and practical, around the commons discourse. It will cover its historical context and points of origin, towards its current manifestation and global movement. The module will comprise lectures by practitioners in the field as well as reading seminars covering a range of themes on cultural, knowledge, urban, digital, and economic commons. The students will become familiar with similar parallel discourses such as peer-to-peer models of creating common goods as well as cooperatives. The module aims to cultivate a solid ground for the students to develop their future practice. It enables students to develop critical thinking essential in development of such an emerging field. Students will be able to study alongside their peers on related courses and engage in productive discussion, debate and at times collaboration.