ZUR253 Introduction to Popular Culture and Media Studies

Fakulta sociálních studií
jaro 2003
Rozsah
1/1. 6 kr. Ukončení: z.
Vyučující
Maxim Strashun (přednášející), prof. PhDr. Jiří Pavelka, CSc. (zástupce)
Garance
prof. PhDr. Jiří Pavelka, CSc.
Katedra mediálních studií a žurnalistiky – Fakulta sociálních studií
Rozvrh
Út 16:00–17:40 G019
Omezení zápisu do předmětu
Předmět je nabízen i studentům mimo mateřské obory.
Mateřské obory/plány
Cíle předmětu
Course Description: This course is a brief introduction to popular culture and to mass media studies. What do films like The Simpsons, The Matrix, The Truman Show and Thelma and Louise and the lyrics in American rap music tell us about our society? How can we learn to be critical towards the media, which surround us from dawn to dusk? This course aims to provide introductory critical skills for analysing contemporary media, popular culture and advertising and their impact on our everyday lives. We will look at ads from North America and compare them to Czech ads, explore topics like consumerism, sub-cultures (rap, rave), gender roles and stereotypes, news production and counter-cultures (AdBusters magazine, culture jamming), and more. The course is based primarily on the major critical approaches to media and culture taught at North American universities.
Metody hodnocení
Course Assessment: Below is a summary of what the students are expected to complete during the course. Each week there will be 1-3 articles for you to read, approximately 10-20 pages (all articles will be in English). Some of the articles will be on the Internet, some you will need to photocopy. I will expect that you have read the assigned articles before each class, and are prepared to apply the ideas from these articles to the topics we will be discussing during the class. 15 % Class presence: maximum two classes missed without an excuse (doctor s note, etc.) 15 % Active class participation and discussion: I know what I think. I want to hear what you think, how these general theories can be applied. I do not know much about Cz culture, if there is a play on images, or a homage in the ad and I do not get it, explain it to me. If you do not get something in the media that I use, I will do my best to explain it to you. Just ask. If you do not agree the reading of the text is right, argue your point of view. 10 % Adbank: collect 10-15 ads from magazines (e.g. try comparing ads for the same product as its advertised in women s/men s/unisex mags), billboards, TV, etc. One or two could be from radio, Internet, etc. Write a short paragraph for each explaining why you like the ads, what reading can you give them, why they stand-out from the others. Hint: these can be used for your group presentation. 20 % Group Presentation: after the 3rd week, during the class a group of 3 students will do a short presentation. Presentations should be around 15 - 20 minutes long and should make good use of audio-visual media: an overhead / handout with summary of ideas, video clips, photos (on overhead?), etc. You choose the groups, sign up in class. For suggestions on ways to handle your topic and where to find materials / theoretical info, come and talk to me as early as you can. 20 % Final oral Exam or a final Research Paper: I will give you a review of topics before the exam, and when you will come in I will ask you to briefly explain to me a topic or a theory, compare and contrast (explain the differences/areas of weakness/similarities) a couple of theories, or apply a couple of theories to a reading of a text. 5+5+10 % Response Papers (3): write a short commentary on the articles you read, describe a parallel between what you read and what you see around you, apply a theory to a text in your life, contradict a reading or a class discussion, etc. These should be typed and double spaced. Movie screenings: 3 or 4 films will be shown (tentatively) on Mondays at 18.00. If you miss these screenings, you must watch them on your own before the class.
Vyučovací jazyk
Angličtina
Informace učitele
Kontakt na vyučujícího: : maxim@econ.muni.cz
Další komentáře
Předmět je vyučován jednorázově.
Předmět je zařazen také v obdobích jaro 2004, jaro 2005, jaro 2006.