TAD3207

Popular culture and contemporary communication 3A ( 6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr Daniel Palmer

Offered:
Caulfield First semester 2005 (Day)

Synopsis: This subject deconstructs the visual language/s of popular culture by exploring the notion that film, television, magazines, fashion, advertising, comics, computer graphics and the internet are amongst the most powerful and persuasive communicators of ideas, attitudes, beliefs and stereotypes in our contemporary world. Using the techniques of semiotics and contemporary theory students learn to interpret and deconstruct the meaning of the various mediums of popular culture.

Objectives: On successful completion of this unit, student will: 1.be familiar with the salient ideas and methodologies of semiotics, and how these may contribute to an understanding of art and design; 2.be familiar with the salient ideas and differences between structuralist and post-structuralist thought, and be able to make connections between these ideas and art and design practice; 3.be able to use semiotics to critically decode and analyse the images and texts of popular culture; 4.have an awareness and understanding of the cultural roles and responsibilities of professional communicators in today's society.

Assessment: Research essay (2000 words): 40% + Short analytical essay (1000 words): 30% + One seminar paper 30%

Contact Hours: Two 1 hour lectures and one tutorial per week

Prerequisites: A second year sequence in TAD units for faculty course students or permission for all other students.

Prohibitions: TAD3217,TAD2207