AJ17060 Contemporary Popular Culture: An Introduction

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2003
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Maxim Strashun, B.A. (lecturer), Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Michaela Hrazdílková
Timetable
Wed 10:50–11:35 31, Wed 11:40–12:25 31
Prerequisites (in Czech)
AJ09999 Qualifying Examination && AJ07002 Intro. to American Studies II
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 18 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/18, only registered: 0/18, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/18
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Syllabus
  • Course Description: This course is a brief introduction to popular culture and to mass media studies. What do films like The Simpsons, The Matrix, The Truman Show and Thelma and Louise and the lyrics in American rap music tell us about our society? How can we learn to be critical towards the media, which surround us from dawn to dusk? This course aims to provide introductory critical skills for analysing contemporary media, popular culture and advertising and their impact on our everyday lives. We will look at ads from North America and compare them to Czech ads, explore topics like consumerism, sub-cultures (rap, rave), gender roles and stereotypes, news production and counter-cultures (AdBusters magazine, culture jamming), and more. The course is based primarily on the major critical approaches to media and culture taught at North American universities.
Assessment methods (in Czech)
Course Assessment: Below is a summary of what the students are expected to complete during the course. Each week there will be 1-3 articles for you to read, approximately 10-20 pages (all articles will be in English). Some of the articles will be on the Internet, some you will need to photocopy. I will expect that you have read the assigned articles before each class, and are prepared to apply the ideas from these articles to the topics we will be discussing during the class. Since this is partly a discussion class, you can not miss more than two classes without an excuse (doctor's note, etc.). 15 % Active class participation and discussion: I know what I think. I want to hear what you think, how these general theories can be applied. I don't know much about Cz culture, if there is a play on images, or a homage in the ad and I don't get it, explain it to me. If you don't get something in the media that I use, I'll do my best to explain it to you. Just ask. If you don't agree the reading of the text is right, argue your point of view. 15 % Keeping a diary every class: summarise what we've discussed during class, what you agree or disagree with, how it relates to your life. 10 % Adbank: collect 10-15 ads from magazines (e.g. try comparing ads for the same product as its advertised in women's/men's/unisex mags), billboards, TV, etc. One or two could be from radio, Internet, etc. Write a short paragraph for each explaining why you like the ads, what reading can you give them, why they stand-out from the others. Hint: these can be used for your group presentation. 20 % Group Presentation: after the 3rd week, during the class a group of 3 students will do a short presentation. Presentations should be around 15 - 20 minutes long and should make good use of audio-visual media: an overhead / handout with summary of ideas, video clips, photos (on overhead?), etc. You choose the groups, sign up in class. For suggestions on ways to handle your topic and where to find materials / theoretical info, come and talk to me as early as you can. 20 % Final oral Exam or a final Research Paper: I'll give you a review of topics before the exam, and when you'll come in I'll ask you to briefly explain to me a topic or a theory, compare and contrast (explain the differences/areas of weakness/similarities) a couple of theories, or apply a couple of theories to a reading of a text. 5+5+10 % Response Papers (3): write a short commentary on the articles you read, describe a parallel between what you read and what you see around you, apply a theory to a text in your life, contradict a reading or a class discussion, etc. These should be typed and double spaced. Movie screenings: 3 or 4 films will be shown (tentatively) on Mondays at 18.00. If you miss these screenings, you must watch them on your own before the class.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2002.
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