| Unit name | Introduction to the Sociology of Culture |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPAI10003 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Jo Haynes |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
none |
| Co-requisites |
none |
| School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Culture is a crucial aspect of contemporary life and has become an increasingly important area of sociological study. This unit will critically explore some of the key ways that culture has been understood and its significance for contemporary social and political life. The unit draws on debates in sociology and cultural studies, considering a number of theoretical approaches to the meaning and construction of culture, representation, popular and mass culture, consumer society and postmodernism. By exploring substantive topics such as digitisation, social media, cultural authenticity and racial stereotyping, this unit will introduce the key aspects and dynamics of culture and the relationship between culture and other forms of social power.
By the end of the unit, students should be able to:
Two hours of lectures and one hour of seminars per week
Formative assessment: 1200 word essay
Summative assessment: 2000 word essay (assesses all learning outcomes)
Bennett, A. (2005) Culture and Everyday Life London: Sage Publications
Gray, A. and Mc Guigan, J. (eds) Studying Culture: an Introductory Reader London: Edward Arnold.
Hesmondhalgh, D. (2007) The Cultural Industries (second edition) London: Sage Publications.
Jenkins, H. (2006) Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide New York University Press
Strinati, D. (2004) An Introduction to Theories of Popular Culture (second edition) London: Routledge.
