Module: Cultural Studies

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Cultural Studies
Module Code	CM102 (ITS) / CUS1000 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Communications
Module Co-ordinator	Eileen Culloty
Module Teachers	John Moran, Padraig Murphy, Saumava Mitra
NFQ level	6	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None
Array

Description

This module explores the key theoretical schools of thought in the study of culture. It encourages independent, critical analysis of cultural artifacts and practices, including students' own, taking into account the social, historical and political contexts in which they occur. The module compares and contrasts the diverse theoretical approaches to culture, facilitating a comprehensive overview of the main debates in this field.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the major schools of thought that have been applied to the study of culture in a socio-historical context
2. Compare, contrast and establish connections between these traditions
3. Apply diverse theoretical frameworks to critically analyse contemporary cultural artefacts and practices
4. Explain the concept of subculture and conduct a small ethnographic study of a subcultural group or practice
5. Evaluate and defend the validity of certain theoretical frameworks over others using the relevant literature and original examples

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Seminars	11	Seminars
Independent Study	217	Library / Reading / Research
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

What is Culture?

Cultural Studies: Mapping the Field

Aesthetic Theories of Culture
The 'Culture and Civilization' tradition

Anthropological Approaches to Culture

The Frankfurt School and the Culture Industries

Subcultures

Feminist Theories of Culture

Cultural Identity, Ethnicity and Multiculturalism

Postmodernism and Cultural Theory

Guest lecture / project work

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total
Course Work Breakdown
Essay	n/a	60%
Group project	n/a	40%

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Chris Barker: 2008, Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice, 3rd edition, Sage Publications Ltd.,
Gill Branston and Roy Stafford: 2010, The Media Student's Book, 5th edition, Routledge,
Andrew Millner and Geogg Browitt: 2002, Contemporary cultural theory: an introduction, 3rd edition, Routledge,
Dick Hebdige: 2005, The Meaning of Style, 2nd edition, Taylor and Francis,
David Muggleton: 2000, Inside subculture: the postmodern meaning of style, Berg Publishers,
Raiford Guins and Omayra Zaragoza Cruz: 2005, Popular culture: a reader, Sage,
Pierre Bourdieu: 1987, Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste, Harvard University Press,
Dominic Strinati: 2004, . An Introduction to Theories of Popular Culture, 2nd edition, Routledge,
Imelda Whelehan: 2000, Overloaded: Popular Culture and the Future of Feminism, The Women's Press Ltd.,
Edward Said: 2003, Orientalism: Western Conceptions of the Orient, 2nd edition, Penguin Classics,
Tracey Skelton and Gill Valentine: 1997, Cool Places: Geographies of Youth Cultures, Routledge,
Mike Featherstone: 2007, Consumer Culture and Postmodernism, 2nd edition, Sage,

Other Resources

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