INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL STUDIES

Course Description

This course introduces students to the principle analytical techniques and interpretive strategies are used in the field of cultural studies. Designed for the students at beginning of their degrees in media and communications subjects, the course places particular emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to the study of culture and will provide a conceptual foundation for scholarly work in a variety of related areas. The course will address to the work of major figures related to Cultural Studies, including Michel Foucault, Stuart Hall and Edward Said, and will consider topics related to their work, such as the representational work of the media, the interpretative role of the audience, and the relationship between culture and power.

INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL STUDIES

Evaluation Tools (Active Term)

No evaluation items have been defined.

Course outcomes

1. 01 Define (2) cultural studies and explain (3) the interdisciplinary nature of field.
2. 02 Define (2) basic concepts of Cultural Studies such as, power, identity, ideology and representation.
3. 03 Assess (5) the constructed nature of identities, such as gender and nation.
4. 04 Define (2) the notion of stereotyping and identify (2) stereotypical representations in media and popular culture.

Course Syllabus

Reference Books & Course Materials

1. 01 Barker, C. (2012). Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice. (4th edition). Sage: London.
2. 02 Sardar, Z. and B. Van Loon, (2013). Introducing Cultural Studies: A Graphic Guide, Icon: London.
3. 03 Storey, J. (2016). Cultural Theory and Popular Culture. Routledge: London.
4. 04 Course notes on Moodle.

Learning Outcomes

1. L01 Explain (4) cultural studies and the study of popular culture as an interdisciplinary field of study. SOLO 4
2. L02 Identify (2) key terms and leading theorists of cultural studies and popular culture. SOLO 2
3. L03 Analyze a visual element of popular culture using some insights from semiotics. SOLO 4
4. L04 Describe (3) the relationship between popular culture and media. SOLO 3

Program Outcomes

1. P01 PO1: Engaged in insightful thinking leading to self-learning and lifelong learning.
2. P02 PO2: Established a general knowledge of economics sufficient to work independently through specific learned techniques generated via individual efforts and study.
3. P03 PO3: Reached the required knowledge and skills to understand social, economic and legal issues both within national, international and global contexts and apply theoretical knowledge of economics to practice.
4. P04 PO4: Adopted the ability to critically evaluate, analyze and interpret information gathered through the use of related statistical software programs to suggest creative solutions for economic problems and make relevant economic decisions.
5. P05 PO5: Been aware of gathering and analyzing data through the application of appropriate technological tools in an ethical and safe manner in order to generate economic decisions and policy suggestions.
6. P06 PO6: Been equipped with conceptual and analytical skills essential for team-working and collaborations for economic decision making for a variety of economic concepts in national and global environment.
7. P07 PO7: Endowed with both oral and written communication skills within the economic field to effectively study and work in an international environment
8. P08 PO8: Been able to transfer theoretical knowledge to real life economic environment: to generate policies for microeconomic and macroeconomic problems faced by individuals, firms and governments at national, international and global context.
9. P09 PO9: Developed an ability to apply economic analysis to everyday problems in real world through the development of ethical perspectives and social responsibilities at work and in personal life.

Po-Lo Matrix