Module FOUN0227: CULTURAL STUDIES

Department: Foundation Year [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

FOUN0227: CULTURAL STUDIES

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To introduce students to the discipline of cultural studies.
• to promote confidence and develop analytical skills.
• to develop students' learning skills.

Content

• Introducing cultural studies.
• founding fathers: Matthew Arnold, F. R. Leavis, Richard Hoggart and Raymond Williams.
• ways of seeing: John Berger and Roland Barthes.
• examining contemporary media: television, movie genres, the emergence of popular magazines.
• cultural studies of popular music: from jazz to acid jazz, from Marilyn to Madonna.
• Pulp Fiction and youth culture: Peter Cave on Hell's Angels, Richard Allen on Skinheads.
• the importance of popular culture.
• background to the 'making' of the UK.
• a profile of the UK today.
• how Britain is governed.
• everyday needs in the UK.
• symbols of 'Britishness'.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students will have acquired the knowledge to be able to:
• appreciate the significance of popular culture to wider questions about society and culture.
• recognise vital signs of how we construct our culture and how that culture constructs us.
• demonstrate an awareness of the history and theoretical approaches of cultural studies.

• By the end of the module students will have acquired the skills to be able to:
• ask critical questions about the interaction between texts, readers and producers.

• By the end of the module students will:
• be able to communicate effectively in writing
• be able to communicate effectively orally
• be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Theory, initial concepts and research techniques will be introduced during lectures and demonstrations.
• Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured exercises, group work, discussions and library assignments during tutorials and students' own time.
• Knowledge and understanding of concepts will be assessed by a variety of assignments including poster presentation, oral presentation and a written assignment.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Throughout the course exercises and library research will be undertaken. Comments are fed back to individuals and the group.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University