GEN1017 Introduction to Cultural Studies – Common Core Curriculum Office (CCCO)

Department

Social Science

Semester

AY2011/12 Sem 1, AY2011/12 Sem 2, AY2012/13 Sem 1, AY2012/13 Sem 2, AY2013/14 Sem 1, AY2013/14 Sem 2, AY2014/15 Sem 1, AY2014/15 Sem 2, AY2015/16 Sem 1, AY2016/17 Sem 1, AY2017/18 Sem 1, AY2017/18 Sem 2, AY2018/19 Sem 1, AY2018/19 Sem 2, AY2019/20 Sem 1, AY2019/20 Sem 2, AY2020/21 Sem 2, AY2020/21 Summer Sem, AY2021/22 Sem 2, AY2021/22 Summer Sem, AY2022/23 Sem 2, AY2023/24 Sem 2

Method

Lecture 3 hours

Cluster

1 (Humanities)

Prerequisite

GEN1000 Perspectives on General Education

Exclusion

Nil

Module Description

This module introduces students to the basic concepts, theories, themes and interpretive strategies commonly employed in cultural studies in response to contemporary cultural issues. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary approaches that explore how cultural artifacts and their meanings and values are produced, shaped, distributed, appreciated, and consumed in diverse ways. Through discussion, research, and writing, students investigate these varied dimensions of culture and learn to understand them in their broader social, aesthetic, ethical, political, technological, and ecological contexts. This module also helps students to explore cultural dynamics in the context of Hong Kong, China, Asia, and the world.

Module Intended Learning Outcomes (MILO)

Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
a. demonstrate knowledge of basic concepts and theories in the field of culture studies;
b. articulate with examples the major issues such as identity, gender, ethnicity, technology, and environment in cultural studies;
c. apply critical readings and analyses on different ideologies as an essential part of cultural politics; and
d. evaluate the applicability of the major themes of cultural studies in the local, national, regional, and global context

Module Content

1. Foundations of cultural studies

1.1 Basic concepts in cultural studies
1.2 Central problems in cultural studies

2. Questions of culture

2.1 Culture and ideology
2.2 Culture, meaning and knowledge

3. The changing context of cultural studies

3.1 Postwar disorder in the 20th century
3.2 Enter the age of digitization and Anthropocene

4. Key issues of cultural studies

4.1 Subjectivity and identity
4.2 Ethnicity, race and nation
4.3 Sex and gender
4.4 Media technology, texts and audiences
4.5 Cultural space and time

5. Chinese cultural studies

5.1 Cultural Studies in a local context
5.2 Emergent cultural phenomena in Hong Kong, China, Asia, and the World

Assessment Methods

1. Assignment(s) (20%)
2. Group Presentation (20%)
3. Participation (10%)
4. Individual Essay (50%)

Texts & References

1. Barker, C. (2016). Cultural studies – theory and practice. Sage Publications Ltd.
2. Rafele, A., Aldama, F. L., & Nericcio, W. A. (2021). Cultural studies in the digital age: an anthology of 21st century interdisciplinary inquiries, postulations, and findings. San Diego State University Press.
3. Stokes, J. C. (2021). How to do media & cultural studies. SAGE.
4. Pezzullo, P. (2013). Cultural Studies and Environment, Revisited. Tayor & Francis
5. Chu, Yiu-wai. (2018) Found in Transition: Hong Kong Studies in the Age of China. State University of New York Press.