Issues in Cultural Theory : Mass cultures, in-depth Approach

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Pascal Durand

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Less a precise definition and more a socio-anthropological concept relating to cultural practices, "mass culture" covers a considerable number of forms, media, institutions and challenges. This course consists not only of theoretically conveying the reasons for this apparently confused proliferation (with the help of cultural sociology, semiology and critical theory of the mass media). We will undertake a close reading of two series of objects : literary serials from 19th to 20th centuries (Dumas, Verne, Allain et Souvestre) and several theories of mass-mediatic visibility or celebrity (from Thorstein Veblen to Nathalie Heinich).

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The course objective is to lay the groundwork for research on mass culture, using a two-pronged critical approach to the field, one relating to the products of mass-culture themselves, the other relating to theory, in the most diverse sense, which we will try to take into account. The theoretical presentations will be complemented by an analysis of cultural products relating to the field in question.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

See : http://cipl82.philo.ulg.ac.be/horaires

Recommended or required readings

Required reading of A. Dumas, Le Comte de Monte-Cristo (Gallimard, coll. « Folio ») ; Jules Verne, Michel Strogoff (Presses Pocket) et Allain & Souvestre, Fantômas (Livre de poche).
Some other scientific papers will be also commented during the lectures.
Lecture complémentaire conseillée : Nathalie Heinich, De la visibilité (Paris, Gallimard, 2012).

Assessment methods and criteria

Oral examination.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Course head, Pascal Durand, lecturer, Department of the art and science of communication, Place du 20-Août, 7, 2nd floor, pascal.durand@ulg.ac.be;
Assistante Caroline Duchesne Place du 20-Août, 7, 2e étage Tél. 04 366 44 13 Caroline.Duchesne@ulg.ac.be (Tanguy.Habrand@ulg.ac.be )Secrétariat Tél. 04 366 32 86