The Politics of Culture (P02163)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : LLC-P-P02163

At the heart of cultural studies is the 'essentially contested' concept of culture. Founding theorists of the subject sought to provide definitions sufficiently flexible as to allow for a plurality of interpretations. As we enter the 21st century, questions concerning the boundaries, the authenticity and the inter-relations between cultures seem more pressing than ever. This course will explore the politics of culture paying close attention to the processes of globalisation and their often-unexpected effects on local and indigenous cultures throughout the world.

This course presents an international overview of the politics of culture as they have been theorised and represented by social theorists and the media alike. The class will consist of seminars organised around weekly readings, in addition to which students will be directed towards documentary films held in the Language and Humanities Centre that are appropriate to each weeks thematic.

By looking at culture as a highly politicised field of contestation, this class will introduce students to the contemporary study of culture as a politicised mode of representation. In this way students will not only critically explore representations of the social lives of human beings, but also encounter trans-disciplinary methodologies for the study of culture .

The course therefore serve the interests and academic needs of both students of culture studies and those in other subject areas who are interested in the cultural implications of the processes of globalisation more generally. The course will be assessed through student presentations and a 4,000 word essay utilising the texts and methodologies introduced in the class.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Common Courses (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures), (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, Schedule G)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the students will:
- have an overview of the historical, social and political implications of the processes of globalisation and how they make themselves felt in the realm of culture
- be able to understand the role of culture in the development of, and resistance to, the modern liberal state
- be able to conduct an analysis of situations that involve political and cultural change and to articulate and communicate such an analysis
- be able to research in the area of cultural studies both local and global, drawing on a range of the most important resources and materials (both text-based and visual) for the study of cultural politics.