Introduction to Festivals

Undergraduate | 2026

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area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
HOSP 3001
Course ID icon
Course ID
201161
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
3
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This course will introduce students to the study of festivals, including the histories and cultures of a variety of festival types. Students will attend festival performances and be introduced to key conceptual frameworks for understanding festivals, including social and cultural capital, and the broad categories of festival types, such as open access and curated festivals. Reflecting on case studies of well-known festivals, students will develop an understanding of the relationship between festivals and audiences and the impact of arts and cultural festivals locally, nationally and internationally.

  • Basic Concepts
  • Models Of Festivals
  • Experience And Metrics

Course learning outcomes

  • Understand the history and development of festivals and their connection to place and culture
  • Reflect upon the relationship between festivals and the public sphere
  • Critically describe the history, roles, impacts of arts/cultural festivals locally, nationally and internationally
  • Describe the various career pathways within arts/cultural festivals and reflect on how these relate to their own graduate career aspirations
  • Differentiate between the models/types/design of arts/cultural festivals

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A