Course syllabus

 

SOCIOL 211: Sociology and Popular Culture

SEMESTER 1, 2018

15 points

Teacher:   Ciara Cremin   c.cremin@auckland.ac.nz

Course delivery format:

2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of tutorial

(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

 Summary of Course Description:              

Popular culture is in the air we breathe. It's the rhythm of our hearts. It stirs our passions. It engenders mass conformity on a global scale but can also inspire revolt. This course exams how popular culture influences our thoughts and stokes our desires. It examines the capitalistic logic of cultural production whereby culture becomes a commodity to make someone wealthy. With popular culture such an integral part of our lives, it is a study of the human personality.

 Course outcomes:

• 1. Appreciate the sociological significance of popular culture and understand its relationship to other cultural forms.
• 2. Be aware of the historic development of popular culture and the sociological study of it.
• 3. Have familiarity with some of the key thinkers and debates in scholarship on popular culture. 4. Be able to critically theorise forms of popular culture in the 21st century.
• 5. Gain a deeper understanding of Sociology as a discipline

 Assessment Summary:

Weighting of assignments and due dates if available, eg:

30% essay assignment due on 10 September

30% essay assignment due on 22 October

40% exam

Weekly Topics:

 1. History of Popular Culture

2. Popular Culture™

3. The Culture Industry

4. Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism

5. Mythologies

6. Apparatus of Capture

7. Fantasy Screen

8. - Special Session –  

9. Apocalypse Eyes

10. Battlezone

11. Are Gamers Fascists?

12. Revision Session

 

Prescribed Texts:

See course guide

 Recommended Texts:

Optional info depending on course requirements

 Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:           

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details.