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2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CULT1001 Introduction to Cultural Analysis II

20 creditsClass Size: 47

Module manager: Diane Morgan
Email: d.l.morgan@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module introduces ways of reading different aspects of culture. It should enable students to discuss the full range of cultural forms including film, television, popular literature and music as well as more canonical modes of culture such as opera, philosophy, art and architecture. The module will equip students with the skills to appreciate, criticise and understand culture through a number of intellectual approaches. The module will cover questions of cultural studies, representation, authorship, meaning, close reading, ideology, race, sexual difference and psychoanalysis. It is intended as a companion module to CULT1000, however, this connection is not essential for students taking them as electives.

Objectives

On completion of this module students will have developed key skills in Cultural Analysis. They will have encountered dominant critical and analytic strands within postmodernism and post-structuralism: Marxism, Psychoanalysis, Feminism, Queer Theory and Post-Colonialism.

They will study these critical approaches through a mix of theoretical essays and cultural texts (such as film, television, popular literature and so on).

The emphasis of the module will be on developing reading and analytical skills for the duration of the BA in cultural analysis. Accordingly, students will be enabled to develop their own critical practice with regards to Cultural Analysis and will be introduced to key strategies for critical thinking.

This module is intended as a complement to, but is independent of, the module 'Introduction to Cultural Analysis I.

Skills outcomes
- Verbal and written fluency in constructing a logical and coherent argument;
- Use of audio visual aids;
- Participation in group discussions;
- Co-ordination and dissemination of a range of historical, contextual visual information;
- Using bibliographies and databases.


Syllabus

The module will explore five strands of postmodern and post-structuralist critical thinking through the analysis of key essays from the canon of Cultural analysis and the study of cultural texts. It will introduce ways of reading and modes of cultural analysis. It will do so not through the discrete study of 'isms' (Marxism, feminism etc) but through key terms shared by the modes of analysis I.

The module opens with a consideration of 'Ideology'. It will explore the meaning of this term and its use for Cultural Analysis. The Lectures will introduce and historicise this term (with particular reference to the Marxist tradition) while seminars will encourage students to explore its meaning through reading Louis Althusser's essay 'Ideology and Ideological State Apparatus' alongside cultural texts II.

The module will move on to consider 'the Unconscious'. The lectures will explain and contextualise this term with reference to psychoanalysis. Seminars will focus on the use of this term in Cultural Analysis through an examination of Sigmund Freud's essay 'The Uncanny' alongside cultural texts III.

The module will examine the term 'Gender' with reference to the Feminist tradition. Lectures will historicise this term, while seminars will explore its meaning through an analysis of Helene Cixous' essay 'Sorties' alongside cultural texts IV.

The module will explore the term 'Sexuality' with particular reference to developments in Queer Theory. Lectures will contextualise this term, while seminars will explore an extract from Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick's 'Between Men', alongside cultural texts V.

The module will conclude with a discussion of the term 'Race'. Lectures will historicise this term with reference to post-colonial theory, while seminars will examine an extract from Edward Said's 'Orientalism', alongside cultural texts.

The emphasis in this module is on introducing students to contemporary reading and analytical practices in preparation for the work of the BA in Cultural Analysis. It will also be of use to students wishing to develop critical skills for other degree programmes.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Film Screenings112.0022.00
Lecture111.0011.00
Tutorial111.0011.00
Private study hours156.00
Total Contact hours44.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

156 reading, essay/class preparation

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Attendance at lectures/tutorials/film screenings
- Record of attendance kept
- Participation in class discussions.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay1 x 2,000-3,000 word essay50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)2 hr 50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/03/2010

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