ENL4001 Cultural Theory and Popular Culture

ENL	4001	75450	1, 2008	ONC	Cultural Theory and Popular Culture	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOART
Academic org:	FOA003
Student contribution band:	1
ASCED code:	091523

Staffing
Requisites
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Lawrence Johnson
Moderator: Brian Musgrove

REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BAHN or BTAH or BVAH or MEL1

SYNOPSIS

The objective of this course is to study the history of theories of culture from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day. Issues studied include the relation between culture and society, with a particular emphasis on Australian Cultural Studies, art and commodity production, and the emergence of popular culture in industrial and post-industrial societies. The course caters to the interests of literature, theatre and visual arts students and of practising English teachers using the secondary syllabus. It has both a theoretical component and a strong applied component, illustrating the relevance of cultural theory to the analylsis of literature, visual arts, popular music, fashion, film, television and other popular texts.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students will:

have an understanding of the history of contemporary cultural theory;
be able to critically analyse the set texts;
be competent in articulating these objectives in written mode;
be competent in applying cultural theory to a wide range of popular cultural texts.

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	History of Cultural theory	33.00
2.	Theories of Popular Culture	33.00
3.	Reading Popular Cultural Texts	34.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Storey, John (ed) 2006, Cultural theory and popular culture: a reader, 3rd edn, Prentice Hall, London.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Bennet, T 1998, Culture: a reformer's science, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards.

Bennett, T & Carter, C (eds) 2001, Culture in Australia: policies, publics and programs, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Fiske, J 1991, Reading the popular, Routledge, London.

Frow, J 1995, Cultural studies and cultural values, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Storey, John 1998, An introduction to cultural theory and popular culture, University of Georgia Press, Athens, GA.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Examinations	2.00
Online Discussion Groups	28.00
Private Study	134.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
ONLINE PAPER - 2000 WORDS	100.00	30.00	07 Mar 2008	(see note 1)
ONLINE PARTICIPATION	100.00	20.00	07 Mar 2008	(see note 2)
2000 WORD RESEARCH PAPER	100.00	30.00	13 Jun 2008	(see note 3)
2 HOUR EXAMINATION	100.00	20.00	END S1	(see note 4)

NOTES

1.: The OnLine Paper is presented electronically, and a revised written version must be submitted two weeks after the on-line presentation. The date will be advised after consultation with students. The assessment is aligned with all Objectives.
2.: On-Line Discussion Group Participation is graded weekly on evidence of preparation and quality of written contribution to on-line discussions. This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.
3.: This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.
4.: Students will be advised of exam dates when the timetable has been finalised. This assessment is aligned with all Objectives.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
This course contains a discussion forum where students' participation is formally assessed and successful participation in that discussion group is required to complete the requirements to be awarded a passing grade in the course. There are no other attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them, or required to be accessed by them, to maximise their chances of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances and without prior approval, then a penalty of a maximum of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late, up to a maximum of 10 working days, at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
The exam for this course is a CLOSED EXAMINATION, and candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Any deferred or supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm

ASSESSMENT NOTES

(a) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner. (b) Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be despatched to USQ within 24 hours if requested by the Examiner. (c) In accordance with University's Assignment Extension Policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the examiner of a course may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances such as documented ill-health. (d) In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the examiner's convenience. (e) Students who do not have regular access to postal services or who are otherwise disadvantaged by these regulations may be given special consideration. They should contact the examiner of the course to negotiate such special arrangements. (f) Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in the course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of the course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete-Makeup). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study. (g) Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or sit for an examination at the scheduled time, may apply to defer an assessment in the course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded: IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).

This version produced 27 May 2008.