HSY2420

Australian popular culture

John Rickard

8 points
* One lecture and one seminar (1.5 hours) per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of the subject students should have gained a critical understanding, in a historical context, of a range of experiences, practices and pursuits broadly identified as Australia's popular culture. They should have an awareness of theoretical perspectives, an understanding of the role of social memory and a familiarity with a variety of sources and artefacts relevant to the study of popular culture.

Synopsis This subject examines a range of cultural experiences and practices, with a view to delineating the nature and source of the Australian values reflected in them. The pursuit of leisure through forms such as popular fiction and music, theatre, sport, cinema, radio and television will be explored, but emphasis will also be placed on aspects of material culture such as food and diet, the home and garden, and the workplace. These facets of Australian popular culture will be interpreted in the context of wider historical changes at both a local and world level. The subject will also raise questions of cultural theory, in particular problematising the concept of popular culture itself.

Assessment Research essay (3000 words): 30%
* Seminar paper (1000 words): 15%
* Two exercises (500 words each): 20%
* Examination (1 hour): 25%
* Seminar participation: 10%

Preliminary reading

Rickard J Australia: A cultural history Addison-Wesley Longman, 1996

Recommended texts

Burgmann V and Lee J (eds) Constructing a culture: A people's history of Australia since 1788 Penguin, 1988
Craven I (ed.) Australian popular culture CUP, 1994
Dermody S, Docker J and Modjeska D (eds) Nellie Melba, Ginger Meggs and friends: Essays in Australian cultural history Kibble Books, 1982
Spearritt P and Walker D (eds) Australian popular culture Allen and Unwin, 1979
Waterhouse R Private pleasures, public leisure: A history of Australian popular culture since 1788 Longman Cheshire, 1995