230567 Cultural Studies in Practice (S) (WiSe 2009/2010)

Cultural Studies was ‘invented’ in the late 1950s and early 1960s and has become a fashionable approach to various cultural and social phenomena in the Anglo-American world since the 1980s. It constitutes an ‘interdisciplinary’ approach that aims at finding out how people make sense of their lives. It focuses on discourses (the dialogical process of ‘sense-making’) in various areas of life: society and its sub-groups (classes, genders, ethnic groups, generations, etc.), politics, religion, literature, the arts, advertising, music, internet communication, body styles, clothes, dance, architecture, etc.

In this course, we will ‘do’ cultural studies. This means, we will first find out what cultural studies actually is, how it proceeds as a research programme. We will have a look into its history, and discuss some of its key assumptions, concepts and methodologies. Then you will start doing your own small cultural studies projects (probably in groups). The good thing is that Cultural Studies can investigate almost anything. So you can choose according to your interests. Finally, you will present the results of your projects in class.

Since this course has a workshop character, it is organised as a block seminar. During the preparatory meeting I will outline in more detail how we might proceed. In the first block we will discuss key texts and key concepts. This block also serves the purpose of designing possible projects and forming research groups. Between the first and the second block, your research will be conducted. The second block is reserved for the presentation of the results.

Perhaps, this reads a bit cryptic. If you have questions, do not hesitate to send me an e-mail or to ask me in person.

Bibliography

A reader with key texts will be provided in the preliminary meeting.