This course presents an introductory overview of the fields encompassed by Cultural Studies, and is designed to teach a basic understanding of the methods and scholarship that define the topics within this discipline. Cultural Studies is a multi-faceted and interdisciplinary approach that incorporates approaches and methodologies drawn from a variety of fields in the humanities, social sciences, media and fine arts. Its aim is to bring to bear epistemologically comprehensive ways of looking at multiple human endeavors as these become essential to matters of identity, social interaction, creativity, labor, embodiment, desire and aesthetic response. It perceives ideas and actions as socially determined, and in the last instance culturally defined, and hence open to conceptual analysis and interpretation. The purpose of the course is to bring students current on contemporary approaches and allow them to explore the conceptual potential of Cultural Studies via reading, writing about and discussing its current concerns.

By the end of the course students should be able to: • Understand the broad field of Cultural Studies and the varying areas of study it entails. • Use the correct taught terminology when commenting and identifying assorted aspects of Cultural Studies. • Have a basic working knowledge of the major movements in western culture and politics. • Understand how culture influences the world and themselves.

There is no textbook for this course. A course packet will be provided at the beginning of the semester and worksheets and terminology lists will be uploaded onto Moodle throughout the semester.
Supplementary Texts:
Barker, Chris, and Emma A. Jane. Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice 5th Edition. London: Sage, 2016. Print.
During, Simon. Cultural Studies: A Critical Introduction. London: Routledge, 2010. Print.
Longhurst, Brian, et al. Introducing Cultural Studies Third ed. London: Routledge, 2017. Print.
Ryan, Michael. Cultural Studies: A Practical Introduction. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010. Print.