PLT2040

Raging against the machine: the politics of rock and global identities

Peter Lentini

8 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton

Objectives Upon completing this subject students should be able to understand and assess critically the political uses of rock music in differing global contexts; develop a comparative understanding of the role of states, elites, transnational corporations and marginalised communities in relation to cultural politics and the limits of political expression; appreciate the importance and limitations of identity politics in the post-Cold War era; develop an understanding of the political importance of various forms of musical expression; develop a broader understanding of politics which expands upon the notion that politics is not solely confined to political parties, key politicians and institutions of state, but exists in artistic expression and within sub-state level communities; develop skills to read various forms of text critically (audio-visual materials, scholarly literature, internet sources) and incorporate them in their assessed work; continue the development of critical skills and an ability to communicate effectively; specifically to develop a topic for investigation; familiarise themselves with a wide range of sources; recognise and be able to present a logically ordered argument.

Synopsis The subject offers a comprehensive overview of the politics of rock, focuses rock music as a site of contested political and cultural space and fuses these issues with a new politics of identity founded upon `neo-tribalism'. The subject is organised around four core definitions of politics: issues pertaining to the state and government (Shorter Oxford dictionary); `who gets what, when, how' (Harold Lasswell); a force with the ability to move individuals (Bertrand de Jouvenal) and the authoritative allocation of value (David Easton). These definitions merge with analyses of identity politics to argue that members of the marginalised communities and `neo-tribes' associated around post-Cold War rock genres use their music to advance their political agendas, celebrate their lifestyles and histories and use the music to form `social cement' to strengthen their `neo-tribes'. These interpretations are also contextualised within the parameters of global consumer culture, the `information age' and their artefacts (music videos, MTV and the internet). In addition, the subject addresses how these media challenge official authorities' (states, national elites and multinational corporations) abilities to maintain their dominance in the cultural realm. These media are also contested sites where the `neo-tribes' and marginalised communities can promote their political agendas, challenge authorities and maintain their identities in a fluid global environment.

Assessment One 3000-word essay: 50%
* A take-home exam (equivalent of 3000 words): 50%
* The instructor will assign third-year students essays and projects demanding higher conceptual and analytical standards than second-year students and he will assess them based on how well they demonstrate evidence of the aforementioned criteria.

Recommended texts

Subject reader to be available when subject commences.