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Syllabus Research Methods Assign 1 Assign 2 Assign 3 480 : Pop Culture : Syllabus This course considers popular culture as an important contemporary arena of social and political struggle. Although we will consider traditional sociological conceptions of popular culture, we will be guided primarily by recent theoretical interventions from contemporary sociology, feminist studies, American studies, minority discourses, and cultural studies. In particular we will examine work which argues that popular culture is a meaningful site of politics and that which considers the role of culture with respect to identity, social location, pleasure and power as these are negotiated in everyday life. We will conclude this course by considering the politics involved in various cultural forms and practices. TEXTS Strinati, Dominic 1995. An Introduction to Theories of Popular Culture. London: Routledge. Hebdige, Dick. 1979. Subculture: The Meaning of Style New York: Methuen & Co. Best, Amy. 2000. Prom Night: Youth, Schools and Popular Culture. London: Routledge. Bernardi, Daniel L. 1998. Star Trek and History: Race-ing Toward a White Future. Rutgers University Press. * Additional required readings are on ONCORES, the library on-line system. A few readings are also on RESERVE at the library. Requirements At the risk of making you nervous, I want to say up-front that this class has a fairly significant amount of theory and of writing. I assume that students taking this course have taken Intro to Sociology, Sociological Theory (310 or 311) or some other theory course in another discipline, and hopefully Soc 282 – Research Methods. If you have not done these courses, please do see me. If you haven’t completed a theory course this course is likely to be quite difficult for you. Every student is required to come to class prepared for discussion of the assigned readings (please prepare notes). Informed participation will constitute an integral component of student grades. Informed participation should be understood as placing as much emphasis on listening as on speaking. Speaking without contemplating what you’re going to say, or without really listening to someone who just spoke, is not a practice that will be rewarded. Full attendance is expected. Missing classes regularly will affect your grade. Students will also be responsible for contributing to discussions of various texts and articles. During the semester students will be assigned to contribute to leading class discussion of particular articles by raising topics, issues of concern, etc. that the student feels are applicable to the days readings. To do this, students should NOT just come in prepared to reiterate the article/chapter. Assume that your fellow students have read the work and ask questions and provide insights that might be useful. You are strongly encouraged to bring in an artifact that you think helps illuminate the topic under discussion, for instance. You might also use this time to explore how the theory under consideration might be tied to the topic you are investigating for your own papers or to help your classmates see how a particular writing demonstrates a theory we've been studying. I have found that bringing in props (such as clips from videos, magazines, music, collectibles, and so on) really help make the presentations the most effective. Credit is given in the following manner: Attendance (being in class): 3 pts. Group Participation: Turn in oultine of what you will cover (NOT your notes from the readings) questions you will ask, and artifact or description thereof 5 pts. Contributions (speaking) 3 pts. Write-ups: Bringing artifacts 4 pts. (Sept. 12th; Oct. 24) The last component listed above refers to bringing in a write-up of some part of popular culture that speaks to the topic that we'll be discussing on the assigned day. In addition to participation, students will be graded on a mid-term take home exam that will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the theories explored in the class. Finally, students will write a series of three interlocking papers. These papers will revolve around a single topic that you will choose toward the beginning of the semester. (The topic will need to be approved by me). Please note that you will be writing drafts of your papers for this class; I am convinced that quality writing is a central component of your education. So, though this course isn’t designated as writing intensive, you will be writing a fair amount. As I tell all my classes, it is not possible to get an "A" in this course if your writing is not well developed. Don’t despair, however, since I will work with you to help you develop your writing skills. Please keep copies of all written work for this course, as you will be asked to submit all work at the end of the semester. No late papers! Only formal medical excuses will be recognized. Computer problems are not legitimate excuses for attempting to submit late papers. The assignments will be weighted in the following manner: Attendance, participation and leadership...... 15% Midterm Oct 17th 25% Paper #1 Due Oct. 3rd....... 5% Paper #2, Due Nov 14th 25% (Draft due Nov 7th) Paper #3, Due Dec. 19th 30% (Draft due Dec 12th) THIS COURSE AND ISSUES OF HONOR: While HSU does not have an explicit Honor Code it is expected that students are honest and ethical in claiming credit for the work they submit. Additionally, no papers produced for a previous course (produced either at HSU or elsewhere) are to be submitted in this course without written approval from the professor. If students plagiarize or cheat in this course I will pursue the most stringent institutional response possible. COURSE OUTLINE * The Syllabus may change if conditions warrant* WHY POPULAR CULTURE? Week 1: August 29th Introduction and Sign-In Thinking about Popular Culture Week 2: Sept 5th Popular Culture as a Site of Study/ High/Low Distinctions • Readings: Strinati - Chapter 1 • Barthes "World of Wrestling" (ONCORES) • "Walking in the City" - de Certeau (ONCORES) • Gans – excerpt from Popular Culture and High Culture (library) Week 3: Sept. 12th High Brow/Low Brow and the Left of the 30’s-50’s Marx and the Frankfurt School, Gramsci • Readings: Strinati, Chapter 2 and 4 • Hebdige – Chapters 1-3 * Students bring in paragraph about how about how body, clothes, hair are expressions of conformity and/or resistance. Please bring a specific example (friend, advertisement, musical performer), and a 1 page write up of your analysis. Week 4: Sept. 19th Continuing Theories of Popular Culture, Semiology and Popular Culture • Readings: Strinati - Chapter 3 & 5 • Hebdige, Chapters 4-5 Week 5: Sept 26th Neo-Gramscian and Semiological Approaches Understanding Power - Foucault • Readings: Foucault - Library Reserves • Strinati, Chapter 6 Week 6: October 3rd – Power, Cultural Studies and 1st Paper Due Tues: Control and Surveillance • Hebdige, Chapters Six • Fiske – Chapter 1- ONCORES *1ST PAPER DUE - BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TOPIC* Week 7: October 10th - Cultural Studies Power and Resistance • Strinati, Chapter 7 • Hebdige, Chapters 7-9 • Fiske – Chapter Three (Library Reserve) Week 8: October 17th *Mid-term Due – Theories of Popular Culture ....* Discussion of Papers and Field Research • Readings: Karp, "Observing Behavior in Public Places " (ONCORES) • Best, Prom Night, Appendix A: Methods, page 171+ Week 9: October 24th Star Trek and History • Bernardi, Chapters 1-2 *Bring artifact and write up that speak to images of the future – these can be toys, video games, movies, advertisements, tv shows, novels, etc. What is your imagery of the future and how has it been constructed? Week 10: October 31st Power and Resistance Continued Creating Meaning beyond that assigned… • Bernardi, Chapters 3-5 Week 11: November 7th – Thinking through power Tues: Bring Draft of Paper #2 to Class -peer review - required attendance • Bernadi, Chapter 6 Week 12: November 14th - PAPER #2 DUE BEGINNING OF CLASS Consumption and Organized Pleasure • Best, Amy Prom Night, Chapter 1 • Giroux, "Consuming Social Change:" (ONCORES) Week 13: Thanksgiving Break – No Class Week 14: November 28th - Style and Identity • Best, Prom Night, Chapters 2-4 • Kipnis"(Male) Desire and (Female) Disgust: Hustler" (ONCORES) • Film: Paris is Burning • "Is Paris Burning?" bell hooks (ONCORES) • bell hooks, "Talking Back" (ONCORES) Week 15: December 5th – Prom Night and Student Presentations • Best, Prom Night, Chapters 5-7 Week 16: December 12th – Prom Night and Student Presentations • Best, Prom Night, Chapter 8 ** Draft of final paper due in class** & student presentations Final Exam Period December 19th – Papers Due, Student Presentations and Dessert Potluck 3:00pm |
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