CLS1040

Introduction to cultural studies I

Andrew Milner

6 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prohibitions: PER1010 and ENH1045

Objectives To introduce students to some aspects of the contemporary discussion of popular culture and to provide students with some of the critical skills necessary for cultural analysis.

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) the social mechanisms by which popular culture is produced, distributed and consumed; (d) critical approaches to the reading of popular print and audio-visual texts. These issues will be pursued in part by way of an analysis of a series of `Frankenstein' narratives.

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

Prescribed texts

Dick P K Do androids dream of electric sheep? Harper Collins, 1993
Milner A Literature, culture and society Allen and Unwin, 1996
Shelley M Frankenstein ed. M K Joseph, OUP, 1980

Films

Blade Runner dir. R Scott, Ladd Company, 1982
Blade Runner: The Director's Cut dir. R Scott, Warner Home Video, 1992
Frankenstein dir. J Whale, Universal Studios, 1931
The curse of Frankenstein dir. T Fisher, Hammer Films, 1957
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein dir. K Branagh, Tristar, 1994

Recommended texts

During S (ed.) The cultural studies reader Routledge, 1993
Fiske J Introduction to communication studies Methuen, 1990
Williamson J Decoding advertisements Marion Boyars, 1978