Module: Cultural Studies

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Cultural Studies
Module Code	CUS1000 (ITS: CM102)
Faculty	Communications	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

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

Section Breakdown
CRN	20216	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Eileen Culloty	Module Teacher	John Moran, Padraig Murphy, Saumava Mitra

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	n/a	60%	Week 1
Group project	n/a	40%	Week 1

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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,

Articles:

Debbie Ging: 2007, ‘All the Rage: Digital Games, Female Violence and the Postfeminization of Cinema’s New Action Heroines’, Film and Film Culture Vol. 4, 520782
2009: ‘All-Consuming Images: New Gender Formations in Post-Celtic-Tiger Ireland’, Ging, D. Cronin, M. and Kirby, P. (Eds) Transforming Ireland: Challenges, Critiques and Resources. Manchester University Press,

Other Resources

None