You will learn about the history and origins of cultural studies, analyse and discuss some of the key theoretical debates around what constitutes cultural studies, and review examples of the approaches that continue to shape and reshape the ever-expanding boundaries of the field. You will also be given the opportunity to apply this knowledge by producing an analysis of a cultural text or practice—in short, to actually do cultural studies yourself.
This course considers the legacies and prevailing tendencies in cultural studies, while also analyzing cultural forms, practices, and institutions in relation to cultural studies’ interest in cultivating work that contributes to creating democratic possibilities and alternative futures.