An introduction to the field of cultural studies, this unit progresses through a “circuit of culture”. Using this model, it introduces the key concepts and practices of representation, identity, production, consumption and regulation. Two areas of contemporary culture will be of particular interest to this unit:
(1) issues surrounding advertising, corporate power and globalisation, and
(2) debates about the representation of gender and sexuality in the media and popular culture.
In the first half of the course, students will learn to use semiotics, a method that is widely used by cultural and feminist critics to study how meanings are produced in images and texts. Coupling semiotics with theories of identity, subjectivity, ideology and discourse students will analyse power relationships in popular culture. Students will also become familiar with debates relating to production and consumption. Upon completing the course requirements, students will have experience in applying core methods and theories analytically, and will be able to demonstrate critical reflection on key concepts shared by cultural and gender studies.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have
the knowledge and skills to:
- understand the central model for this course: the 'circuit of culture';
- master a variety of tools for cultural studies and be able to use them in a concrete study of cultural practices, commodities, images, and social media campaigns in contemporary culture;
- become familiar with developments and current debates within the field of cultural studies in a digital era, particularly issues surrounding; advertising, identity and gender;
- improve skills in independent research and in written and oral communication.
Indicative Assessment
Short Paper – Representation, 400 words (10%) [Learning Outcomes 1, 4]Semiotic Analysis, 1200 words (25%) [Learning Outcomes 2, 3, 4]
Final Essay, 1750 words plus Abstract of 250 words (45%) [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4]
Tutorial presentation, 5 Min duration (10%) [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 4]
Tutorial preparation including reading and responses to questions, and participation, 4-5 hours/week (10%) [Learning Outcome 4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of workshop and workshop-like activities, and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing
Preliminary Reading
* Stuart Hall (ed), Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices, the Open University/ Sage 1997
* Roland Barthes, Mythologies, London, 1972
* Paul du Gay and Stuart Hall, Doing Cultural Studies: The Story of the Sony Walkman, Sage, 1997
The Journal of Popular Culture
Majors
Minors
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $2820 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $4320 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7178 | 23 Jul 2018 | 30 Jul 2018 | 31 Aug 2018 | 26 Oct 2018 | In Person | N/A |
