Welcome
to the Cultural Studies course! WHAT IS CULTURE?
This introductory course (no previous experience with cultural studies is
necessary) attempts to answer this question while examining the various
definitions of culture and the production of cultural meanings and identities in
the era of globalization. We'll discuss the way we live and communicate by
looking at the underlying ideologies, the assumptions that regulate our thinking
and behavior, and the manner in which these assumptions are shaped, produced
and communicated through print media, the various art forms, or popular culture
(music, TV, films, advertisements, etc). The course will provide theoretical tools and
methodologies that enable you to understand and to analyze cultural phenomena.
Much of the material will be related to the Middle East, as the course also
serves as the Arab and Islamic Studies seminar.
Between February 16-27 we will participate in the e-learning of the
Global Solidarity Network.
|
To develop an understanding of major issues in cultural studies, such as the
formation and representation of culture, commodification of cultural
production in relation to globalization, local and global cultural practices and
the pertinent ideologies that shape them.
|
-
Regular
attendance and participation in class discussion;
only two classes
per semester may be missed without written medical justification.
-
An oral presentation
of an elected article (see the
list here),
-
completion of 3
analytical essays (approx. 4 pages each)
to demonstrate your engagement with and
comprehension of the readings.
One of these
essays is based on the oral presentation and it is due the week after the
presentation,
-
Active participation (reading ad posting) in
the Global Solidarity Network
workshop. (February 16-27)
|
Criteria of
evaluation of oral presentation and papers.
|
Readings (recommended)
***Note: Consider
buying used books! (On www.amazon.com
you scroll down and the link to used books will appear)
|
|