Cultural Studies: An Introduction

Sylabus

 Syllabus: 1.       No readings. Introductory Lecture   2.       Different Conceptions of “Culture” and “Cultural Studies”

Cultural Studies with “C” or “c”? Why do we need a concept of culture and what kind of concept of culture do we need in order to understand and/or explain social and political phenomena?  

Mandatory Readings:

Gayatri Spivak, "Scattered Specifications on the Question of Cultural Studies" in  The Cultural Studies Reader  , Simon During (ed.), Second Edition, London and New York: Routledge, 1999, pp. 169-189. 3. The        Frankfurt School of Critical Theory on Culture Industry

What is "Culture Industry"?

Mandatory Reading:

Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer, “The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as a Mass Deception,”  The Cultural Studies  , Simon During (ed.), Pp. 31-42

Recommended Reading:

Angela McRobbie, "The Place of Walter Benjamin in Cultural Studies." The Cultural Studies  , Simon During (ed.), Pp.77-97.

Watch Youtube video “The Culture Industry”  : Tyler Stump and Christina Fairchild at the University of Maryland:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE6CGAK0kVY<span style="vertical-align: inhe

Anotace

This introductory course attempts to illuminate and disentangle why we need a concept of culture and what kind of concept of culture we need in order to understand and/or explain social and political phenomena. It introduces students to various conceptions of culture, methods of analysis, analytical techniques, and interpretative strategies through which we can understand our social and political world. Please note! This course attempts to engage the theory, methodologies and interpretation of Cultural Studies. It is not a course about studying "other cultures" or intercultural communication.

Office Hours: Monday 10.30- 12.30 (please e-mail me by 11 a.m. at the latest on Sunday to let me know when you are coming to consult with me at [e-mail]).