106-064 Contemporary Cultural Studies

Fifty points of first-year arts including at least 25 points from a specified list of subject areas, see Prerequisites.

This subject introduces students to some of the major theoretical traditions in cultural studies ranging from studies of mass culture to feminist, ethnographic and postcolonial cultural studies. These theoretical traditions will be our resource to be used by students to produce detailed and specific studies of contemporary cultural practices. By apprehending the diverse national and international tendencies in cultural studies, students will engage with some of the significant problems of the cultures we inhabit.

• have advanced research and analytic skills;

• show critical and ethical self-awareness;

• have the ability to develop and communicate effective arguments in both oral and written form;

• have advanced skills in media and information literacy and management.

All students will be required to give a formal presentation to one tutorial. An essay of 1200 words 30% (due before mid-semester) and an essay of 2800 words 70% (due at the end of semester).

A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop.

• C Baker, Cultural Studies: Theory & Practice. (2nd ed) Sage 2003.