The University of Hong Kong Creative industries and creative cities
This course is not offered for study in the current academic year.
Course description
This course explores (i) the structures, organization, and institutions of the ‘creative industries’ – including performing arts, film and television, electronic sports, publishing, music, and gastronomy – in sociological perspectives, and (ii) how they contributed to the strategic positioning of cities in globalization. It introduces students to the understanding of ‘creative industries’ in relation to politics, culture, and economy in the local and global contexts. It focuses on the dilemma between ‘high’ and ‘low’ culture, innovation and standardization, structure and agency, power and resistance in the field of cultural production. It opens up debates on the significance of the ‘creative class’ in the social construction of ‘creative cities’.
Course learning outcomes
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Understand the key theoretical debates and analytical approaches to the study of “creative industries” and “creative cities” in sociological perspectives.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the different societal contexts in which “creative industries” operate in different parts of the world.
- Develop research skills through producing a project and presentation on media, culture, and “creative cities”.
- Draw on the theoretical perspectives and empirical research discussed in class to evaluate critically the roles of government, industry practitioners, and other stakeholders in the society in the development of “creative industries” and “creative cities” in globalization.
Assessment
| Tasks | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Reflective pieces | 30% |
| Project presentation | 20% |
| Research report | 50% |
Required reading
Hesmondhalgh, David. 2013. The Cultural Industries, 3rd ed. London: SAGE.
Griswold, Wendy, Christopher Carroll, Gemma Mangione, Michelle Naffziger, and Talia Schiff. 2013. Cultures and Societies in a Changing World, 4th ed. London; Thousand Oaks, CA.: SAGE.
Crane, Diana, Nobuko Kawashima, and Ken’ichi Kawasaki, eds. 2002. Global Culture: Media, Arts, Policy, and Globalization. New York: Routledge.
Recommended reading
Kong, Lily, Ching Chia-ho, and Chou Tsu-lung. 2015. Arts, Culture and the Making of Global Cities: Creating New Urban Landscapes in Asia. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Kenney, Martin, and Richard L. Florida, eds. 2014. Locating Global Advantage: Industry Dynamics in the International Economy. Stanford, CA.: Stanford University Press.
Pratt, Andy C., and Paul Jeffcutt, eds. 2009. Creativity, Innovation and the Cultural Economy. London; New York: Routledge.
Florida, Richard L. 2005. Cities and the Creative Class. New York: Routledge.
Course co-ordinator and teachers
Student view
The theories and models introduced in the course allow me to reflect on the creative industries where I work in a more systematic way, providing for a more detailed understanding.
– Vien T, year 2 MSocSc Media Culture & Creative Cities student