Tara Brabazon's Blog, page 58

How has speed transformed your life and studies?

First year students at the University of Bolton explore the ideas of Paul Virilio.  They think about the role of speed in their lives and studies.

How can we create an enabling university?

The social and political spaces between 'impairment' and 'disability' provide a productive space to discuss the potential of higher education in enabling social justice.  Tara talked with her first year students at the University of Bolton about how to create an enabling environment for all students and citizens.

What makes popular culture popular?

The apparently simply questions are often the most complex.  Tara asked her first year students at the University of Bolton about popular culture.  Indeed, she asked what makes popular culture popular?  In exploring the relationship between popular and unpopular culture, new ways of thinking about media audiences emerge.

Why do research methods matter to media professionals?

Teaching research methods is dull.  Tara conducted an experiment to teach research methods to first year students, in their first semester.  At the end of the session, Tara asked her students a key question:  why do research methods matter to media professionals?  Their answers demonstrate the value of teaching methods early in an undergraduate degree.

Thinking (through the) ear

Tara asked her first year students at the University of Bolton to think about the specificities of sound and sonic media.

How has Facebook changed communication?

Tara introduces the voices and views of her first year students as they consider how Facebook has transformed how they think, write and communicate.

Are you creative? How do you know?

Creativity is a word like culture:  ambiguous, confusing and complex.  But creativity is also an engine for economic growth through the creative industries.  Therefore Tara asks her first year media students to think about the nature of creativity and whether they are creative in their lives, education and professional work.

Art and Design: aspiration, motivation, achievement

Tara talks with students in the University of Bolton Foundation Degree in Art and Design.  She asks them what they have learnt about art, education, motivation and learning.

Morecambe and Modernism

Tara talks with Steve Redhead about Morecambe, a town in the north west of England.  Morecambe has many claims to fame, including Eric Morecambe, his statue and remarkable tides.  But it is through the Midland Hotel, a stunning Art Deco regeneration, that new reasons to visit the town have emerged.  Through reclaiming modernism, Morecambe has modernised.  

Justice for the 96

The Hillsborough disaster remains a deep wound in British - and international - football.  When 96 Liverpool supporters died in a semi final 23 years ago, the tragedy continued with blame and shame displaced onto the victims.  Tara talks with Steve Redhead about Hillsborough and the recent report that finally tells the truth about a bloody day in sporting history.