Contemporary trends in research on culture 3224-D3WKBNK
The classes are based on the discussion of a required reading or study material, preceded by an introductory overview. Each class familiarizes students with the history, research context, and developmental trajectories of a given field or orientation, among other aspects. An integral part of the course is the discussion of the possibilities of referencing and applying elements or the entirety of the concepts introduced. The classes also include discussion of the issues addressed, situated within the context of the most important currents and contemporary theoretical concepts in cultural history research.
Proposed topics of the course blocks:
I. References and continuities
Post-structuralism (the issue of rejecting and transforming structuralist certainties, the significance of this approach for cultural studies)
Postcolonialism (basic frameworks of postcolonial reflection, key concepts such as “colonialism,” “hybridity,” etc.)
Postmodernism (faces of postmodernism, philosophical positions, architecture and art)
The “Toronto School” (representatives of the school, areas of reflection; introduction to the thesis that the medium is the message)
Feminism (introduction to the field of research—waves and types of feminism, issues of contemporary feminism; key concepts and problems such as “discrimination” and “stereotyping”)
Historicism (new ways of thinking about history in the 20th century; the historian’s work and strategies; history as narrative; historical narrative as interpretation)
Popular culture studies (introduction to the field, research areas of contemporary popular culture – advertising, music, film, etc.)
Popular culture studies II
II. Around the “turns” in the cultural studies
The performative turn (theatrical metaphors in cultural research)
The memory turn (introduction to memory studies, cultural memory, lieux de mémoire in Pierre Nora’s understanding)
III. New trends in cultural studies (selection)
11. Surveillance studies (introduction to research on control and discipline)
12. Animal studies (cultural studies in search of a non-anthropocentric perspective)
13. Studies of objects and materiality (material culture studies)
14. Science and technology studies (science as an object of research, intellectual labor as a specific type of activity, reflection on knowledge)
15. Concluding classes – a joint discussion of the issues addressed.
Student workload:
Classroom participation – 30 hours (1 ECTS)
Preparation for classes – 30 hours (1 ECTS)
Preparation of the final assignment – 60 hours (2 ECTS)
Mode
Learning outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge: upon completing the course, the graduate knows and understands:
- at an advanced level, the theoretical and methodological approaches of the humanities, primarily cultural studies (with particular emphasis on its interdisciplinary character); understands their mutual relationships and inspirations; possesses basic knowledge of contemporary schools and research directions, with reference to cultural heritage and the current socio-political conditions of Central and Eastern Europe (K_W01)
- at an advanced level, the terminology of cultural studies, taking into account the contemporary research perspective of Central and Eastern Europe (schools, texts, and scholars in the field of cultural studies) and the specific development of these disciplines in the countries of the region; has a basic knowledge of the terminology of related disciplines necessary for learning about and understanding cultural phenomena in the region (K_W02)
- at an advanced level, the specificity of various models of culture from an anthropological perspective (traditional, noble, bourgeois, mass culture), the processes of their transformation and interrelations, as well as their manifestations in the symbolic and semiotic sphere—namely in the domain of culture and art, literature, and the history of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (K_W03)
- at an advanced level, the broadly understood intercultural context, has knowledge of the human being as a subject who constructs social structures and cultural products; is aware of the principles of their functioning and the resulting differences in the perception of social life among representatives of different nationalities, ideological groups, religious denominations, and variously defined minorities (K_W07).
Skills: upon completing the course, the graduate is able to:
- search for, select, analyze, and use the information needed from various sources in order to prepare assigned tasks and readings in the field of contemporary cultural studies of the Central and Eastern European region (K_U01)
- formulate and analyze research problems, select research methods and tools, and—under the supervision of an academic advisor—conduct basic research in cultural studies and related disciplines concerning the Central and Eastern European region (K_U02)
- develop research skills, independently acquire knowledge with the support of an academic advisor, articulate ideas effectively, and present research results in the form of oral or written statements (of various types) on contemporary directions in cultural research (K_U03)
- apply theoretical approaches, research paradigms, and concepts specific to cultural studies in typical professional situations (K_U03)
- independently prepare written and oral presentations, in Polish and in a foreign language, on selected topics concerning the countries of the region as reflected in contemporary cultural research, and present the results of one’s work to the group (K_U08).
Social competences: the graduate is prepared to:
- critically evaluate their own knowledge, engage in continuous self-education, and supplement the knowledge acquired (K_K01)
- communicate effectively and function in society, including in societies culturally different from their own, work in a group, cope with typical professional situations, verify their views through substantive discussion; and assess their own knowledge (K_K02).
Assessment criteria
The classes are conducted in the form of a seminar.
The course concludes with a graded pass. In accordance with the study program, in addition to ongoing preparation for classes (reading required texts and supplementary materials), the course ends with an assessment in the form of a test. A prerequisite for being admitted to the course assessment is mandatory attendance at classes. The assessment will verify knowledge of the material discussed during classes throughout the semester.
The final grade for the course consists of:
- substantive responses to questions asked during classes based on the material covered, as well as ongoing preparation of the required readings (40%);
- the final test (60%).
Grading scale:
0%–49% – 2
50%–60% – 3
61%–70% – 3+
71%–80% – 4
81%–90% – 4+
91%–100% – 5
Additional knowledge – 5+
During the classes, the instructor monitors student activity, and due to the seminar format, students are encouraged to participate as actively as possible. Short unannounced quizzes on the assigned readings may also be conducted.
Bibliography
Bibliografia:
Ł. Afeltowicz, „Modele, artefakty, kolektywy. Praktyka badawcza w perspektywie współczesnych studiów nad nauką”, Wydawnictwo Naukowe UMK, Toruń 2012
Z. Bauman, „Płynna nowoczesność”, Wydawnictwo Literackie, Kraków 2006 (fragmenty)
A. Burzyńska, M. P. Markowski, "Teorie literatury XX wieku. Podręcznik", Wydawnictwo Znak, Kraków 2006
J. Fiske, "Zrozumieć kulturę popularną", tłum. Katarzyna Sawicka, Wydawnictwo UJ, Kraków 2010 (pierwsze wydanie książki – 1989r.). Próba krytycznego odczytania tekstu lekturowego
E. Goffman, „Człowiek w teatrze życia codziennego”, tłum. Paweł Śpiewak, Helena Datner-Śpiewak, Warszawa 2011 (wybrane fragmenty).
M. Krajewski, "Są w życiu rzeczy... Szkice z socjologii przedmiotów", Fundacja Bęc_Zmiana,Warszawa2013 (fragmenty)
A. Lewicki, „Sztuczne światy. Postmodernizm w filmie fabularnym”, Wydawnictwo UWr, Wrocław 2007, s. 100-110.
A. Loomba, „Kolonializm/Postkolonializm”, Wydawnictwo Poznańskie, Poznań 2011 (fragmenty)
M. McLuhan, „Zrozumieć media. Przedłużenie człowieka”, Wydawnictwa Naukowo-Techniczne, Warszawa 2004 (fragmenty)
„Nikt nie rodzi się kobietą", wybór, wstęp i tłum. Teresa Hołówka, Warszawa 1982 (wybrane fragmenty)
J. Topolski, "Jak się pisze i rozumie historię. Tajemnice narracji historycznej", Warszawa 1996 (fragmenty)
B. Shallcross, „Rzeczy i Zagłada”, Universitas, Kraków 2010 (wybór)
A. Szpociński, "Miejsca pamięci : lieux de mémoire", Teksty Drugie nr 4 (112), 11-20/2008.
„Studia nad nauką i technologią. Wybór tekstów”, red. Ewa Bińczyk, Aleksandra Derra, Wydawnictwo Naukowe UMK, Toruń 2014
"Zwierzęta i ich ludzie. Zmierzch antropocentrycznego paradygmatu", red. Dorota Łagodzka, Anna Barcz, IBL PAN, Warszawa 2018).
A detailed bibliography for each topic will be provided during the classes
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: