ADM5196 CULTURAL POLITICS

Course Code:3105196
METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week):3 (3.00 - 0.00)
ECTS Credit:8.0
Department:Political Science and Public Adm.
Language of Instruction:English
Level of Study:Graduate
Course Coordinator:Prof.Dr. NECMİ ERDOĞAN
Offered Semester:Fall or Spring Semesters.

Course Objectives


Course Content

The course is designed to provide students with analytical tools to conceptualise the field of popular cultural practices. It represents a critical review of contemporary theoretical positions on popular culture, particularly the ones developed by the Frankfurt School, neo-Gramscian Marxism and Birmingham School, Bakhtin, de Certeau, and Bourdieu. A brief introduction to the theory of ideology, with which most students are likely to be unfamiliar, will be made as it constitutes the basic analytical premise of popular culture studies. Special attention will be paid to the interplay of ideology, culture and power, the transformations of the field of cultural practices, and the contestatory character of popular cultural forms. Among the themes to be explored are the elite/mass or high/popular culture binaryism, the dichotomies of resistance versus domination and opposition versus ideological incorporation, the so-called postmodern collapse of cultural hierarchies, the pragmatics of diversionary practices in everyday life, and the politics of cultural transgression. Within this context, various popular cultural forms, texts and narratives (e.g. popular music, sports, and folktales) will be referred to as well.


Course Learning Outcomes


Program Outcomes Matrix

Level of Contribution
#Program Outcomes0123
1The ability to interpret and assess the ways in which power is generated and used socially, institutionally, economically and culturally at the local, national and international levels.
2The ability to conduct interdisciplinary studies and research when assessing the social phenomena in the field of Political Science and Public Administration.
3To attain a sound formation regarding the basic topics, like state-society relations, history of political thought, organisational theory, Turkish politics and comparative politics, in the field of Political Science and Public Administration.
4The ability to use the classical and new approaches in social sciences comprehensively and critically.
5To acquire the methodological knowledge and scientific skills which would enhance the capacity to conduct scientific research and produce publications including a M.S. thesis.
6The ability to evaluate the different dimensions of the problems in the policy areas which are studied through the use of different theoretical perspectives and to develop strategies on this basis.
7To uphold ethical principles in science, academy and life.
8To approach the issues by an independent, critical and inventive cognitive orientation, which could also support the professional career development.

0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution