MPHIL IN CULTURAL STUDIES

The Department of Cultural Studies offers an MPhil in Cultural Studies. This programme aims to balance theoretical issues and debates in Cultural Studies with conceptual and analytical aspects of both visual and material culture. It provides students with an opportunity to examine the concept of “culture” in its many facets through time, developing the analytical and critical tools to formulate new and revealing readings of Pakistani society.

Through a combination of coursework and independent research, the MPhil programme offers students a broad and rigorous education in the analysis of culture, comprehension and the use of the past and its integration into contemporary art and cultural forms. Students will be introduced to the exploration of the Pakistani cultural realm as a critical channel to address questions of identity politics, globalization, development, religion, the inter-cultural role of heritage, museums and art.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

To create scholars and practitioners in the field of cultural studies with a focus on visual and material culture, heritage, arts, and museum studies. Through focused analytical and critical theoretical tools, students learn a deeper understanding of contemporary cultural realm by critically examining the intellectual moment and the debates around identity, gender politics, and globalization.

• To develop a body of scholarship and research in the discipline of Cultural Studies in Pakistan.
• To theorize the forces that shape lived reality of the 21st century Pakistan.
• To sensitize institutions and professionals in the domains of art and culture, public service, media, academia, and museums.
• To provide deep and multilayered understanding of cultural heritage supplemented by research and analytical skills.

The MPhil in Cultural Studies is designed for students whose interests cut across traditional modes of study in the arts, humanities and social sciences and who seek to understand the meanings of the past in our contemporary culture. Course requirements are designed to build competence in interdisciplinary cultural studies theory and practice simultaneously allowing students to develop disciplinary fluency in a particular subfield.

Total Number of Credits	36
Taught Subjects (Credits)	30
Thesis (Research & Design Credits)	06
Total Number of Semesters	04
Semester Duration	18 Weeks
Classwork	16 Weeks
Testing and Evaluation	02 Weeks
Course Load /Semester	9-12 Credits

Semester 1

(i) Applicants with minimum 16 years of education or equivalent qualification in the relevant fields with minimum 60% marks from an HEC recognized institute are eligible to apply.
(ii) Candidates must pass NCA’s own aptitude test at par with GAT.
The MPhil Programme in Cultural Studies is ideally suited for individuals with a proven interest in investigating, analyzing and writing about visual culture in the contemporary and the historical context and in its many forms.

CANDIDATES FOR ADMISSION MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA
→ Completion of 16 years of education or 4 year education (124 credit hours) after HSSC/F.A./F.Sc/Grade12 or equivalent will be required for admission in the MPhil/Master.
→ Submission of relevant published or unpublished written work, or research in other media.
→ Submission of Personal Statement and research proposal showing aspirations and future goals of the candidate.
→ Evidence of excellence in theoretical courses during their previous studies.
→ Passing a written aptitude test at par with GAT (Subject) to demonstrate ability of comprehension and written expression of both visual and the text.
→ Appearance for an interview before the admissions committee.

1. In most of the courses, the students will be required to work on assignments and presentations which will count for 50% of the total marks. By the end of semester each student will be required to write a research paper (3000-5000 words) which will carry 50% of the total marks. Some of the courses will include assignments/presentations which will be progressively marked. The research paper will be assessed according to the following criteria
• Knowledge and Understanding of the Subject
• Writing Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Research Skills
2. By the end of the programme, students will be required to write a dissertation (15000-20000 words) in Chicago Style, which will be assessed by external examiners on the basis of following criteria
• Knowledge and Understanding of the Subject
• Writing Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Research Skills