English
5454: Studies in Theory, Introduction to Cultural Studies
CRN 16140
T/Th 9:30-10:45am, 352 Shanks Hall
Professor Bernice Hausman
Description:
This
course will introduce students to the major theoretical paradigms and methodologies
of Cultural Studies, with an emphasis on feminist cultural studies. We will
begin with fundamental theories in the field, such as Althusser’s work
on ideology, Foucault’s work on sexuality and institutions, work from
the Birmingham school on class, and Barthes’s work in the semiotics of
culture. We will then survey a broad range of topics, projects, and themes in
Cultural Studies. In this section of the course, we concentrate on methods and
writing—that is, first, how do we read a piece of cultural studies scholarship
and understand the theoretical work behind the observations and claims put forward
and, second, how do we ourselves begin to produce scholarship in the field of
Cultural Studies? Finally, the last section of the course will introduce gender
and race as an important terms in the lexicon of Cultural Studies and focus
on feminist research in this area.
Readings:
Articles will be supplied by the professor; books have been ordered at the university
bookstore and should also be available at Volume II and the Tech Bookstore,
unless otherwise noted.
Louis
Althusser, “Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses,” from Lenin
and Philosophy
Roland Barthes, Mythologies
Jean Baudrillard, "The Precession of Simulacra"
Patrick Brantlinger, Crusoe’s Footprints: Cultural Studies in Britain
and America
Michel de Certeau "The
Practice of Everyday Life"
Irene Diamond and Lee Quinby, Foucault and Feminism (This book may
not be available at the bookstores, but inexpensive used copies are available
online.)
Michel Foucault, The History of Sexuality, Vol. 1
Stuart Hall,
Representations: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices
Dick Hebdige, Subcultures: The Meaning of Style
Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno, "The Culture Industry" from The
Dialectic of Enlightenment
Frederic Jameson, The Cultural Turn: Selected Writings on the Postmodern
Erica Rand, Barbie's Queer Accessories
Raymond Williams, Culture and Society, 1780-1950
Archive of articles on the “Hottentot Venus” and Barbie, including:
Alexander,
Elizabeth. "The Venus Hottentot."
Atwood, Margaret. "The Female Body."
duCille, Ann. "Toy Theory: Black Barbie and the Deep Play of Difference."
Fausto-Sterling, Anne. "Gender, Race, and Nation: The Comparative Anatomy
of "Hottentot" Women in Europe, 1815-1817."
Gilman, Sander L. "Black Bodies, White Bodies: Toward an Iconography of
Female Sexuality in Late Nineteenth-Century Art, Medicine, and Literature."
Gould, Stephen
Jay. "The Hottentot Venus." In The Flamingo's Smile. New
York: Norton, 1985. 291-305.
hooks, bell. "Selling Hot Pussy: Representations of Black Female Sexuality
in the Cultural Marketplace."
Urla, Jacqueline and Alan Swedlund. "The Anthropometry of Barbie: Unsettling
Ideals of the Feminine Body in Popular Culture."
How to navigate this website:
Below on this page you will find the assignments and reading schedule for this course, as well as information about attendance . Under assignments, you will see how much each assignment is worth as a percentage of your final grade. The reading schedule includes the topics for discussioin, exam dates, and due dates for papers and presentations, as well as information about what to read when.
Under General Course Info (another web page) you will find links to Prof. Hausman's teaching pages, including information about how to read for her classes, expectations for written work, feminist pedagogy, undergraduate academic policies (see esp. pages on plagiarism) and the honor code, etc. It is your responsibility as a student in Prof. Hausman's class to be familiar with these guidelines and expectations.
Statement on student accommodation:
Students who have a disability or other condition that requires accommodation should discuss the issue with Prof. Hausman early in the semester. Students need not disclose their condition with the professor, merely provide her with documentation from the Dean of Students Office concerning the necessary accommodation. Students may make an appointment or come to Prof. Hausman's office hours (posted on contact info page). All conversations between individual students and the professor will remain confidential.
Attendance Policy:
No absences are excused, but students have two allocated cuts that are "free"--use them wisely! More than two absences will affect your grade; each absence over two (one full week of class) will cause a diminishment in your grade. If there are ongoing issues that will affect your ability to attend this class, please see Professor Hausman early in the semester.
Methods
of evaluation:
1. Informal responses to readings--using Blackboard's discussion board feature.
Each week there will be a new discussion board set up. By Wednesday at 5pm,
each week, students will respond to the week's readings and Tuesday class discussion,
to prepare for Thursday's class. (1 point each for 15 points)
2. Student presentations of materials read for class discussion--this will involve
a short introduction to the main argument and then a focused
presentation of one concept. The entire presentation should not take longer
than 15 minutes, and probably should take only 10. (10 points)
3. Short mid-term paper (25 points)
4. Lengthier term writing project, including a presentation to the class and
polished article of at least 15 pages (50 points)
Schedule
of readings:
Patrick
Brantlinger's Crusoe's Footprints is a basic reference source for the
class, discussing cultural studies in the context of the "crisis in the
humanities" and British and American influences.
Jan. 16 and 18: Max Horkheimer and Theodor Adorno, "The Culture Industry"; Louis Althusser, "Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses"
Jan. 23 and 25: Roland Barthes, Mythologies
Jan. 30 and Feb. 1: Michel Foucault, The History of Sexuality, Vol. 1 (click here for some notes)
Feb. 6 and 8: Raymond Williams, Culture and Society, 1780-1950
Feb. 13 and 15: Dick Hebdige, Subculture: The Meaning of Style
Feb. 20 and 22: Jean Baudrillard, "The Precession of Simulacra" and Michel de Certeau "The Practice of Everyday Life"
Feb. 27 and Mar. 1: Lee Quinby and Irene Diamond, Foucault and Feminism. Midterm paper due March 1.
SPRING BREAK
Mar. 13 and 15: Stuart Hall, Representation: Cultural Representation and Signifying Practices
Mar. 20 and 22: Stuart Hall, Representation: Cultural Representation and Signifying Practices
Mar. 27 and 29: Frederic Jameson, The Cultural Turn: Selected Writings on the Postmodern
Apr. 3 and 5: Hottentot Venus Archive
Apr. 20 and 12: Barbie Archive, including Erica Rand, Barbie's Queer Accessories
Apr. 17 and 19: Barbie Archive
Apr. 24 and 26: presentations
May 1: presentations
Final paper due on Reading Day, May 3.
©Bernice L. Hausman, all rights reserved.