To create scholars and practitioners in the field of Cultural Studies with a focus on visual and material culture, heritage and arts. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the contemporary cultural realm by critically examining intellectual moments and debates around identity, gender politics, globalization, and be able to

• Develop a body of scholarship and research in the discipline of Cultural Studies in Pakistan
• Theorize the forces that shape the lived reality of 21 century Pakistan
• Sensitize institutions and professionals in the domains of art and culture, public service, media and academia
• Provide deep and multilayered understanding of cultural heritage supplemented by research and analytical skills

The Graduate Programme 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 and contemporary culture. Course requirements are designed to build competence in interdisciplinary cultural studies theory and practice. 

• Applicants with minimum 16 years of education or equivalent qualification in the relevant fields with minimum 60% marks from HEC required institutes are eligible to apply
• Candidates must pass NCA’s own aptitude test on par with GAT

The Graduate Programme in Cultural Studies is ideally suited for individuals with a proven interest in investigating, analyzing and writing about various forms of material and visual culture in contemporary and historical context.

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/Grade 12 or equivalent will be required for admission in the MA/MPhil.

• Submission of relevant published or unpublished written work, or research in other media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
• Candidates must pass NCA’s own aptitude test which is on par with GAT
• Appearance for an interview before the admissions committee

The Cultural Studies Graduate Programme offers students an option between an MPhil, in which students undertake a thesis or an MA, where students take additional taught courses in their final semester of studies. Semester 1 and 2 are the same for all students in the Graduate Cultural Studies Programme. Semester 3 is based on whether the student has opted for MA through taught courses, or for MPhil through independent research.

MPHIL STREAM 

• Total Number of Credits   30
• Taught Subjects (Credits)   24
• Final Thesis/Project (Research & Design Credits) 06
• Total Number of Semesters   03
• Semester Duration     18 weeks
• Classwork     16 weeks
• Testing and Evaluation   02 weeks
• Course Load/Semester   6-12 credits

MA STREAM*

• Total Number of Credits   30
• Taught Subjects (Credits)   30
• Total Number of Semesters   03
• Semester Duration     18 weeks
• Classwork     16 weeks
• Testing and Evaluation   02 weeks
• Course Load/Semester   6-12 credits

CULTURAL STUDIES I, II,III
These courses bring together some of the foundational elements  of cultural theory and Cultural Studies with the aim of acquainting students with an interdisciplinary perspective that views culture as an unfinished project, where engaging with culture is a critical practice with a democratising intent.

GLOBAL IDEAS AND THEORIES I & II
This course expose students to salient texts and ideas that have laid the foundation for the critical discourse of culture and society. Students learn to grasp the theoretical underpinnings of the modern mind by placing influential ideas and systems of thought in cultural and historical contexts.

SOUTH ASIAN MATERIAL CULTURE
The course provide a critical and deeper understanding of material culture and its narrative in South Asia. The students explore the complexities and dilemmas of materiality for a newer understanding of ‘material as culture’ or the culture of the material. Personal collections, archives, language (text) and places will be introspected as case studies. Various art forms and sites will be examined in light of their cultural, political and socioeconomic context, as well as stylistic development and the emergence of new ideas.

SOUTH ASIAN VISUAL CULTURE
The course provides a critical insight to South Asian visual culture. The course acts as a comprehensive guide for the students of the South Asian visual culture during and after colonization. All art form sites will be examined the light of their cultural, political and socioeconomic context, as well as stylistic developments and emergence of new ideas.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND WRITING
The course intends to provide students with tools and techniques to carry out a variety of data collection, analyses and interpretation when developing a Social Sciences/Humanities research project.

ACADEMIC WRITING & PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION
Students will be introduced to the fundamental aspects of academic writing. This course teach students to apply the tools of academic writing to express complex ideas and to study different writing approaches to academia. Students will also be familiarized with the requirements of various forms of professional communication.

GRADUATE SEMINAR
This seminar provides students the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of research practices through interaction with professionals working  in the field of art and culture. 

INTERTEXTUAL CULTURAL ENGAGEMENTS
This course is designed to explore the dynamic and multifaceted connections between cultures and texts, both literary and non literary, across different historical periods and geographical regions. It delves into the idea of intertextuality while analysing how texts, art and media draw inspiration, references and meaning from each other in diverse cultural contexts.

THESIS WRITING
Students undertake independent research and writing on a topic of their choice with the supervision of the programme’s faculty.

DEGREE REQUIREMENT
• Both MA and MPhil students need to complete 3 semesters
• Those opting for independent research must submit their final thesis at the end of their third semester