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