Undergraduate Media, Gender and Culture

Summer School modules are designed to be intensive, intellectually stimulating short courses. They are taught by King’s academics in academic disciplines where King's has expertise. Classes are highly international, giving students an opportunity to collaborate with peers from all around the globe.

Each module consists of 150 study hours, comprising 45 hours of intensive synchronous and asynchronous teaching, independent study and group work and is examined to university standards. Comparable to an in-semester 15-credit King’s undergraduate module and therefore typically awarded 3-4 US credits or 7.5 ECTS, many summer students ask their home institution to award them external credit for their King's summer module to use towards their degree programme when they return home.

What role does media play in the formation of gendered subjectivities? How does media organise social and cultural life? What is the sexualisation of culture, and what does it mean for contemporary gender relations? How can we approach critical issues of power and agency in the analysis of post-feminism? Can media be used as a resource for contemporary cultural politics and activism? By whom, and in what ways? Media, gender and culture will explore these and other questions, introducing students to critical debates in the interdisciplinary domains of gender studies, cultural theory and media analysis.

Taking contemporary media culture as our critical focus, we will examine issues of gender and social change; power and representation; culture and agency; intimacy and mediation; social critique and cultural politics. Students will engage with a range of theoretical perspectives and learn how to analyse a variety of media texts.

In line with the requirements of a higher education qualification at level 4, students on this course will develop a critical appreciation of the central themes and approaches in the study of media, gender and culture, and will learn to apply theoretical perspectives in the analysis of contemporary media culture. Students will gain in-depth understanding of critical debates within the field of feminist media studies, in particular current debates surrounding the sexualisation of culture, which has become an important education and social policy issue. Through media workshops, students will learn how to examine a range of media texts including film, TV programs and magazines, as well as online and digital media and apply the appropriate conceptual tools to independently analyse media texts.

Students will present and discuss their analyses in class and will also engage in a range of group work activities, developing the skills necessary to communicate their ideas effectively and work both autonomously and in dialogue with others. Through close readings of key debates in the field, students will learn how to structure academic arguments; class discussion and written assessment will ensure that students are able to present their arguments in both oral and written format.

By the end of the program, students will have a good understanding of the concepts and principles that organize the field of feminist media studies today, and will be able to evaluate and apply theory in the analysis of media representations and practices. Those interested in pursuing study in this area will be well placed to identify topics to take forward for further research and theoretical development, and will have the critical faculties necessary to independently examine and critically analyse contemporary media culture from a gendered perspective.

The King's College London Undergraduate Summer School is open to students who are currently, or have been, enrolled in an undergraduate degree programme. We also welcome applications from professionals who have substantial relevant experience in their chosen subject area.

Entry requirements

• Open to students who are currently, or have been, enrolled in an undergraduate degree. We also welcome applications from professionals who have substantial relevant experience in their chosen subject area.
• Minimum grade requirement of 2:1 degree equivalent. See International grade equivalents on our Undergraduate Summer School homepage, under Entry requirements.
• English language requirement of at least level C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR). See full English Language requirements on our Undergraduate Summer School homepage, under Entry requirements.
• Minimum age at the start of the course is 18 years old.

Essay (85%), Presentation (15%) - to be confirmed by the academic.

Taught on-campus 9am and 6pm from Monday to Friday

*Early application discount: prices apply for applications received by 23:59 GMT on 14 February 2025. Subject to availability at the time of application. From 15 February 2025, the standard 2025 tuition fees apply.

As per the fees listed above, booking two sessions receives a discount. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts of promotions. Subject to availability at the time of application.

More information on our fees, entry requirements and residential package can be found on the Undergraduate Summer School homepage.

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