Critical Theory Discussion Group
An optional discussion group runs alongside the third year module Critical Theory. Different year groups have used this as a forum for debate and discussion, to put on film nights, arrange guest speakers and even organise a trip away to a barn in the Yorkshire dales. The module has always spawned enthusiastic student-led groups that take the theoretical issues on together and explore the wider areas that interest them around the discipline.
Roundhouse: A journal of Critical Theory and Practice
Last year's group won funding to develop (on the VLE) a student-run online journal, now named Roundhouse.
Roundhouse's main directives are student inherited research and horizontal learning. It aims to spread communicative practices in higher education, create a more flexible style of learning and directly challenge the image of undergraduate students as 'passive consumers'.
The journal displays work of a high academic standard that examines the 'applied turn' in Critical Theory and its relevance to contemporary social problems as well as presenting a body of applications, and critiques of these applications, that will be of use to subsequent Critical Theory students and researchers in this field. It provides an opportunity for third year students to engage in real academic research and submit a paper for publication.
The journal will have two editions a year - in the Autumn and Spring - and hopes in the future to attract submissions from outside POLIS to parallel the inter-disciplinary nature of Critical Theory itself. Early next year a conference will be held to celebrate the launch of Roundhouse which aims to link-up academics from across the university that have an interest in Critical Theory and hopes to attract Critical Theory alumni as well as current students.
For more information please email roundhouse@leeds.ac.uk
Roundhouse - Autumn 2011 Edition
The Autumn 2011 edition of Roundhouse is now now published. It showcases five articles from recent graduates examining the 'applied turn' in Critical Theory along with an editorial statement of principles.
The journal has been discursively edited, peer reviewed and developed by Critical Theory students from the School of Politics and International Studies.
We would appreciate any feedback or comments you have on the journal and hope that you will continue to visit and read Roundhouse.
Student-Led Discussion Network (SLED)
SLED is a network of student-led discussion groups that give students a space to engage in open discussion, explore their understanding of module content and benefit from the input of their peers.
The network of groups provides a unique arena for undergraduates to test out ideas and work collaboratively in a relaxed atmosphere.