2004:2 R
Evaluation of undergraduate programmes in cultural studies and cultural education at higher education institutions in Sweden
The evaluation includes the undergraduate programmes in cultural studies at Göteborg University and the University College of Trollhättan/Uddevalla together with undergraduate programmes in cultural education at the University College of Gävle. The panel of assessors points out that the programmes evaluated have a multi-disciplinary approach that has evolved from subject areas in the humanities and the social sciences. This gives them an inherent flexibility and receptiveness to thetical and methodological innovation but requires at the same time clear expression of the subject´s identity. Those responsible for these programmes should clearly specify their profile, i.e. the cultural concept or concepts on which they are to focus. The information material they provide should then be presented so that the profile and contents of the programmes are indicated clearly.
The multi-disciplinary nature of these programmes means that they are organised by teachers with backgrounds in many different disciplines. They therefore have to be organised so that groups of teachers can be coordinated and at the same time provided with support and encouragement to develop the subject´s own specific characteristics. One example is the scope that can be provided for teachers to enhance their own qualifications and undertake research in cultural studies as a subject in its own right. This is possible at Göteborg University, where the undergraduate programme in cultural studies is offered in close collaboration with the research centre for studies in contemporary culture. Additional endeavours are required at the other higher education institutions.
Greater collaboration between the departments evaluated could also contribute to the subject´s development and provide it with a clearer profile. The panel of assessors also recommends extending international contacts, mainly at the University Colleges of Gävle and Trollhättan/Uddevalla, and also the inclusion of more international titles in the reading lists.
The panel´s report reveals that the programmes at Göteborg University and the University College of Trollhättan/Uddevalla maintain good academic standards. The panel considers that development initiatives are needed if the University College of Gävle is to be considered to fulfil the requirements for entitlement to award a bachelor´s degree in cultural education. In view of this, the National Agency intends to review the entitlement of the University College of Gävle to award a bachelor´s degree in cultural education.
The organisation of the report
This report consists of two sections - the decisions and reflections of the National Agency for Higher Education and the report submitted by the panel of external assessors. The panel´s report contains an account of the premises on which the evaluation was based, an overall analysis of the evaluation together with its impressions of each individual higher education institution and the recommendations made. At the end of the report there is a list of the ten or so cultural studies programmes and courses that were not formally included in the evaluation as the degrees are awarded in some other subject. The panel of assessors is responsible for the content of its report. The National Agency´s decisions and reflections are based on the panel´s report.
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