Syllabus
WEEK 1 (21.2.). Theoretical approaches to the study of youth cultures.
WEEK 2 (28.2.). Hippies and Punks.
WEEK 3 (7.3.). Post-subcultures 1. Rave culture. Subcultural capital
WEEK 4 (14.3.). Post-subcultures 2. 1990s and 2000s rock music youth cultures. "Grunge," music industry, and Generation X.
WEEK 5 (21.3.). Gender and youth music cultures.
WEEK 6 (28.3.). TV, media and music youth cutures.
WEEK 7 (4.4.). Place, creative industries, and neo bohemians.
WEEK 8 (11.4.). Hip hop and diasporic Youth Cultures.
WEEK 9 (18.4.). Latin American youth cultures.
WEEK 10 (25.4.). Youth cultures in socialist Czechoslovakia.
WEEK 11 (2.5.). Africa.
WEEK 12 (9.5.). Asia.
Annotation
In this course, we will investigate the notion of youth culture and its relation to music. We will examine history and theory of youth cultures, and look closely into particular case studies from around the world.
Studies of youth ‘subcultures’ such as beatniks, hippies, mods, rockers, skinheads, punks, and goths will serve us as a starting point that will launch us into a much broader and contemporary space of youth cultures. After continuing with riot grrrls, ravers, and hipsters, we will observe mainstream youth cultures in Great Britain and the US, African American youth cultures in the US, Asian and African diasporic youth cultures in Great Britain and France, and hip-hop, dance music, heavy metal, and punk related youth cultures in Mexico, Brazil, East Europe (before 1989), Caribbean Islands, West Africa, and Middle East.
We will frame our discussions around the intersection of race, class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and nationality, and observe the relations between youth culture and dominant society. Moreover, we will be particularly interested in social and cultural aspects that shape youth cultures, specifically media, technology, economy, politics, and place.
We will also host a local guest one week, who will talk about Czech youth cultures under communism. Class discussions will be based on weekly readings, music examples, and films.
Students’ assignments will include brief writing responses to the readings, and a final exam (essay questions). No preliminary requirements.