54092 Culture: Plugged and Unplugged
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): (32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10359 Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10361-C10364, and Category Type = Bachelor's Degree OR 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10365-C10368, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10369 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) OR 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10370 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) Bachelor of International Studies OR 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10371 Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) OR 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10372-C10383, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10434-C10439, and Category Type = Bachelor's Degree OR 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09126-C09128, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Honours OR 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10416-C10442, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10451 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) OR 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10452 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) Bachelor of International Studies OR 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10454 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 32 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10455 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) Bachelor of Laws)) OR ((24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10246-C10251, and Category Type = Bachelor's Degree OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10252-C10263, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10264 Bachelor of Global Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10332-C10337, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10311 Bachelor of Arts Communication (Creative Writing) OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10312-C10313, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10314 Bachelor of Arts Communication (Digital and Social Media) OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10315-C10316, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10317 Bachelor of Arts Communication (Cultural Studies) OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10318-C10319, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10269 Bachelor of Sound and Music Design OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10270 Bachelor of Sound and Music Design Bachelor of Arts International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10276 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10277 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10425 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design Bachelor of Languages and Cultures OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10405 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) Master of Teaching Secondary Education OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10465 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation)) OR ((24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10020 Bachelor of Business Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10129 Bachelor of Laws Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10167 Bachelor of Medical Science Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10215 Bachelor of Construction Project Management Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10243 Bachelor of Science Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10272 Bachelor of Design Interior Architecture Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10302 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10303 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Management Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10305 Bachelor of Design Product Design Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10307 Bachelor of Design Fashion and Textiles Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10309 Bachelor of Design Visual Communication Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10320 Bachelor of Property Economics Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10343 Bachelor of Management Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10388 Bachelor of Forensic Science Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10396 Bachelor of Public Health Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10447 Bachelor of Criminology Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10458 Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences Bachelor of International Studies OR 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10239 Bachelor of Information Technology Bachelor of International Studies)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 58217 Experiments in Culture
Description
This subject explores the histories, complexities and contradictions of popular culture, with a particular focus on the 20th and 21st centuries. In this subject, students critically interrogate various forms of popular culture and reflect on their own participation, identity formation and fandom with respect to popular cultural artefacts. The subject addresses a number of key popular cultural topics facing individuals and communities, including climate change, race, (dis)ability, and the invasion of digital technologies into everyday life. Students explore diverse meanings and forms of popular culture, identifying how they position individuals, groups and communities and the political and ethical consequences of these positionings, as well as how they articulate the values and beliefs of the society and individuals that produce and use them.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | identify the historical and contemporary meanings of the concept of culture |
|---|---|
| b. | identify how individuals occupy and embody specific cultural positionings |
| c. | critically analyse how forms of cultural production (e.g. written, visual, verbal, kinetic) create meanings |
| d. | communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively |
| e. | collaborate effectively to develop an understanding of complex issues |
| f. | reflect on their own practice |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
- Apply theoretically informed understanding of the communication industries in independent and collaborative projects across a range of media (1.2)
- Possess information literacy skills to locate, gather, organise and synthesise information across diverse platforms to inform the understanding of the communication industries (2.1)
- Be reflexive critical thinkers and creative practitioners who are intellectually curious, imaginative and innovative, with an ability to evaluate their own and others' work (2.2)
- Possess well-developed skills and proficiencies to communicate and respond effectively and appropriately across different contexts (6.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Face-to-face classes will incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies including short presentations, videos, simulations, discussion of readings and case studies and student groupwork. These will be complemented by independent student reading and participation in online discussion. Students will engage with pre-class, online learning materials including theoretical readings and on-line materials before coming to class for collaborative interactions.
From week 1, students will be involved in exercises that require them to present ideas and arguments to the class, so that they will receive formative feedback from both other students and their tutor.
Content (topics)
Culture: plugged and unplugged explores the historical meanings of ‘culture’, locating how the term has been used variously to refer to artistic production (e.g. sound culture, painting, dance), modes of communication (e.g. analogue, digital), the way of life of a people (e.g. Indigenous culture, everyday life) and forms of identity (e.g. street culture, queer, Goth). Students explore these diverse meanings and forms of culture, identifying how they position individuals, groups and communities and the political and ethical consequences of these positionings, as well as how they articulate the values and beliefs of the society and individuals that produce and use them.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Participation
| Objective(s): | a, c, e and f | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 20% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Short answer responses and in-class discussion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Pop Culture Ethnography
| Objective(s): | a, b, d and f | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 35% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1,000 words | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Formal Essay
| Objective(s): | a, c and d | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 45% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1800 words | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential work-shopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor.
Attendance at classes is essential in this subject. Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor to build capacities towards meeting the subject learning objectives. A roll will be taken at each class (whether on campus or online). Students who have more than two absences from class will be refused marking of their final assessment (see Rule 3.8).