CLS3130 - Culture and society: Introduction to cultural theory

Leader(s): Dr Matthew Ryan

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The unit aims to introduce students to a variety of theoretical approaches to the study of the relationship between culture and society. The unit begins with English literary-critical conceptions of culture; proceeds to the French structuralist tradition, especially as exemplified in anthropology and in semiotics; and to that mainly German tradition of theorising about culture which arises from the encounter between sociology, psychoanalysis and Marxism. The unit then moves to a discussion of current theoretical debates concerning the sociology of culture, the cultural politics of sexual difference, cultural nationalism and multiculturalism, postcolonialism and postmodernism.

Objectives

1. To introduce students to a variety of theoretical approaches to the study of the relationship between culture and society, drawing on literary-critical, socio-historical and anthropological discourse. It begins with English literary-critical conceptions of culture; proceeds to the French structuralist tradition, especially as exemplified in anthropology and in semiotics; and to that mainly German tradition of recognize about culture which arises from the encounter between sociology, psychoanalysis and Marxism.

2. To introduce students to a discussion of current theoretical debatesconcerning the sociology of culture, the cultural politics of sexual difference, cultural nationalism and multiculturalism, postcolonialism and postmodernism.

3. To enable students to understand, feel comfortable with and be able to articulate the analytical skills, theoretical vocabularies and conceptual apparatuses studied.

4. To develop in students a sense of their own personal and cultural reflexivity as they observe and interpret the cultural theories analysed in the subject.

5. To provide the critical and expressive resources to enable students to write clear, grammatically and syntactically appropriate, independent essays on the various topics provided or chosen for assessment.

Assessment

Essay (2500 words): 50%; Exam (1 hour): 30%; Seminar Paper (1000 words): 20%

Contact hours

One two-hour seminar per week

Prerequisites

A first-year sequence in English, Literary Studies or Cultural Studies or permission.

Prohibitions

CLS2130