Key Methods in Cultural Studies 4219-AW011
Following the Cultural Studies pioneer Raymond Williams’ initiative, and its more recent reformulations, the course explores key concepts and themes that have, for decades now, been shaping the diverse methodologies operating within and/or influencing the discourses of Cultural Studies in general and American Studies in particular. The lecture aims at tracing and exploring the problems and issues crucial and of ongoing interest in such research perspectives informing the field of Cultural Studies as discourse analysis and psychoanalysis, deconstruction, critical race studies, ethnic studies, gender, queer and sexuality studies, and postcolonial studies. In order to familiarize the students with these often divergent approaches to the study of the workings, mechanisms and traces of culture, the lecture clarifies, while respecting the problematic character of, such key critical concepts as sign, myth, ideology, deconstruction, new historicism, modernity, metafiction, subjectivity, identity, gender, queerness, race, postcolonial studies and orientalism. Based on readings in influential theoretical texts, the lecture not only discusses the notions, postulates and problems important in a given methodological approach, but also illustrates their current and possible uses in the study of American culture, also by means of referring to its diverse discursive, ideological, social and political dimensions that the lecture contextualizes through a recourse to the examples of persons, events, tendencies and problems of importance and influence in American culture and history.
Type of course
Learning outcomes
After completing the course students will:
[KNOWLEDGE]
• have theoretical knowledge of key concepts in the field of cultural studies;
• distinguish between different methodological approaches within cultural studies;
• be familiar with the literary, cultural and social contexts of English-speaking countries;
• be aware of the complex nature of American Culture, including its changes throughout history and connections with other cultures;
[SKILLS]
• be prepared to compare and critically evaluate the usefulness of different methods for the study of American culture;
• be able to argue a point and debate another’s thesis using reasoning and argumentation based on research;
• be able to communicate with other specialists in the field, as well as interpret cultural texts and events, applying appropriate terminology in English;
[COMPETENCES]
• understand the need for constant development and practice of English;
• be able to prioritize in order to complete set goals;
• be aware of the cultural heritage of American culture;
• be tolerant and open toward other cultures;
Assessment criteria
Final grade based on:
Final exam – 100% of the final grade
Grading scale:
0-59 – 2
60-69 – 3
70-75 – 3,5
76-85 – 4
86-90 – 4,5
91-95 – 5
96-100 – 5!
Bibliography
Selections from :
-Bennett, Tony, Lawrence Grossberg and Meaghan Morris, eds. New Keywords: A Revised Vocabulary of Culture and Society. Malden: Blackwell Publishing, 2005.
-Burgett, Bruce and Glenn Hendler. Keywords for American Cultural Studies. New York: New York University Press, 2007.
-Colombo, Gary, Robert Cullen and Bonnie Lisle, eds. Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing, Boston and New York: Bedford/St. Martin, 2007.
-Gray, Ann, and Jim McGuigan, eds. Studies in Culture: An Introductory Reader. London: Arnold, 1993.
-Williams, Raymond, Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and Society, New York: Oxford University Press, 1985.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: