MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Arts Undergraduate Handbook 1996

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996

CLS1040

Introduction to cultural studies I

Denise Cuthbert

Synopsis The study of popular culture has become an area of considerable theoretical interest to analysts of literature, culture and society. This subject will introduce students to different aspects of the contemporary discussion of popular culture and will explore a variety of ways in which mass market cultural products can usefully be discussed. The subject will examine (a) theoretical traditions in the analysis of popular culture; (b) the historical development and social functioning of the mass media; (c) prominent cultural icons which contribute to contemporary popular culture, such as Coca-Cola, Adidas, Madonna and McDonalds, and the social practices which sustain them; and (d) the spectacle, the public entertainment place and the shopping mall. While the general framework will be both comparative and historical, most of the material under discussion will be in some sense `Australian'.

Assessment One essay (2000 words): 40% + Examination (2 hours): 30% + Tutorial work (including workbook): 30%

Prescribed texts

• Conrad J Heart of darkness Penguin, 1985
• During S (ed.)The cultural studies reader Routledge, 1993
• Shelley M Frankenstein ed M K Joseph, OUP, 1980

Films

• Frankenstein J Whale (dir.) Universal Studios, 1931
• The curse of Frankenstein T Fisher (dir.) Hammer Films, 1957
• Mary Shelley's Frankenstein K Branagh (dir.) Tristar, 1994
• Apocalypse Now F F Coppola (dir.) Omni Soetrope, 1979
• Hearts of Darkness: A filmmaker's Apocalypse F Bahr and others (dir.) ZM Productions, 1991

Recommended texts

• Fiske J Introduction to communication studiesI Methuen, 1990
• Gray A and McGuigan J (eds) Studying culture: An introductory reader Edward Arnold, 1993
• Williamson J Decoding advertisements Marion Boyars, 1978