Introduction to Cultural Studies

2000

In recent years, cultural studies has become an umbrella term for a number of different modes of thought and methodologies in the humanities and social sciences. This course seeks to move away from this broad tendency and begin with a look at the historical development of this subdiscipline. This will introduce some of the key concepts in cultural studies, such as “culture” and “power.” Then, we will survey several issues cultural studies practitioners have grappled with during the last two decades popular culture, class, ideology, gender, and race, for instance. The course will end with some case studies that show how cultural studies has been put into practice. Overall, this course aims to introduce students to both historical and contemporary questions within the expanding field of cultural studies.

Required Readings:

Simon During, Ed. The Cultural Studies Reader (Second Edition)

Paul du Gay et al. Doing Cultural Studies. The Story of the SONY Walkman

Ann Gray and Jim McGuigan, Eds. Studying Culture (Second Edition)

John Storey, Ed. What Is Cultural Studies?

Semester Schedule

Jan. 20 Introduction

Jan. 25 During, “Introduction” in During

Jan. 27 No Class

Feb. 1 Williams, “Culture Is Ordinary” in Gray and McGuigan

Sparks, “The Evolution of Cultural Studies” in Storey

Feb. 3 No Class

Feb. 8 Hall, “Cultural Studies and its Theoretical Legacies” in During

Hall, “Cultural Studies: Two Paradigms” in Storey

Feb.10 Johnson, “What Is Cultural Studies Anyway?” in Storey

Feb. 15 O’Connor, “The Problem of American Cultural Studies” in Storey

Pfister, “ The Americanization of Cultural Studies” in Storey

Feb.17 Adorno and Horkheimer, “The Culture Industry” in During

Barthes, “The Rhetoric of the Image” in Gray and McGuigan

Feb. 22 Hebdige, “The Meaning of Subculture” in During

Cohen, “Subcultural Conflict” in Gray and McGuigan

Paper #1 due in class

Feb. 24 Williamson, “Meaning and Ideology” in Gray and McGuigan

Zizek, “The Spectre of Ideology” (Xerox)

Feb. 29 Long, “Feminism and Cultural Studies” in Storey

Rooney, “Discipline and Vanish” in Storey

Mar.2 Butler, “Subjects of Sex/Gender/Desire” in During

Harraway, “A Cyborg Manifesto” in During

Mar.7 Sedgwick, “Axiomatic” in During

Mercer, “Just Looking for Trouble” in Gray and McGuigan

Mar. 9 Diawara, “Black Studies, Cultural Studies” in Storey

Henderson, “A Case for Black (Cultural) Studies” (Xerox)

Lubiano, “Mapping the Interstices Between Afro-American Cultural Discourse and Cultural Studies” (Xerox)

Mar. 14 Gilroy, Black and White on the Dancefloor” in Gray and McGuigan

Lott, “Racial Crossdressing” in During

Mar. 16 hooks, “ A Revolution of Values” in During

West, “The New Cultural Politics of Difference” in During

Mar. 21 Spring Break

Mar. 23 Spring Break

Mar 28 Bhabha, “The Postcolonial and the Postmodern” in During

Hall, “Minimal Selves” in Gray and McGuigan

Mar. 30 Chow, “Listening Otherwise” in During

Gillespie, “Technology and Tradition” in Gray and McGuigan

Apr. 4 “Introduction” and Section I in du Gay et al. Doing Cultural Studies. The Story of the SONY Walkman

Apr. 6 du Gay et al. Section II

Paper #2 due in class

Apr. 11 du Gay et al. Section III

Apr. 13 du Gay et al. Section IV

Apr. 18 du Gay et al. Section V

Apr. 20 du Gay et al. Section VI

Apr. 25 Screening “I Like It Like That”

Apr. 27 Discussion of “I Like It Like That”

May 2 Webster, “Pessimism, Optimism, Pleasure” in Storey

May 4 Final Exam