SOCIO203-20B (HAM)

Popular Culture

15 Points

Edit Header Content
Division of Arts Law Psychology & Social Sciences
School of Social Sciences
Sociology and Social Policy

Staff

Edit Staff Content

Convenor(s)

Johanna Schmidt

Johanna Schmidt
9365
K.2.09
See Moodle
johanna.schmidt@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Administrator(s)

: rachel.gosnell-maddock@waikato.ac.nz

Placement/WIL Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: melanie.chivers@waikato.ac.nz

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5, 9 or 3 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
Edit Staff Content

Paper Description

Edit Paper Description Content
SOCIO203 is designed to utilise popular culture (broadly understood) to engage with a number of areas of sociological interest, including class, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, consumption, power, and postcolonialism, Throughout the paper we will examine various forms of popular culture as products that are sold to audiences, but also as sites in which audiences resist dominant ideologies, either through subverting the content of the cultural product to their own ends, or by creating their own resistant cultures. As such, SOCIO203 provides examples of both the structures that shape culture in various contexts, and the ways in which consumers of culture exercise agency in the processes of consumption and resistance.
Edit Paper Description Content

Paper Structure

Edit Paper Structure Content

This paper involves a blended delivery, comprised of the following components:

  • Two short Zoom sessions each week (10am Tuesday & 10am Thursday) - these will be live , covering different material in each session. Each sessions will also be recorded and available through Panopto. These will total 40-60 minutes per week.
  • Readings provided through the paper's reading list.
  • A lesson to be completed each week, based on the reading material. (There will be a small grade attached to this component.)
  • A one-hour tutorial each week - it is preferable that these are attended in person, but online options will be made available for students who are unable to be on campus. Tutorials will especially focus on the assessments, and students will be given significant guidance in undertaking the various pieces of coursework.

Further information will be provided on Moodle and in Week 1.

Edit Paper Structure Content

Learning Outcomes

Edit Learning Outcomes Content

Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:

  • demonstrate comprehension of the key theories covered in the paper
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • demonstrate comprehension of how these theoretical approaches approaches are utilised in understanding the various ways in which popular culture is created and consumed.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • analyse both the immediate and connotative 'meanings' of cultural texts.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • appreciate how various forms of popular culture are sites of cultural power and the contestation of this power.
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • show evidence of enhanced capacity as an independent learner through the application of sound conceptual, analytical and critical thinking skills.
    Linked to the following assessments:
Edit Learning Outcomes Content
Edit Learning Outcomes Content

Assessment

Edit Assessments Content
Detailed information regarding each assessment will be delivered in class and via Moodle, and students will have ample opportunity to discuss and clarify the requirements for assessments. Students are strongly encouraged to share relevant resources and work together wherever helpful - for example, swapping drafts assessments to read etc.
Tutorials will include regular discussion of the assessments, developing relevant skills to complete these exercises, and workshopping various aspects of the assessments. Preparing for and actively participating in these sessions will help in achieving the best possible grade in the assessments.
Edit Additional Assessment Information Content

Assessment Components

Edit Assessments Content

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 0% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 0% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Engagement with online lessons
15
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
2. Text analysis
14 Aug 2020
10:00 PM
15
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
3. Online test
7 Sep 2020
6:00 AM
10
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
4. Essay
12 Oct 2020
10:00 PM
30
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
5. Final test
30
✔
Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
Edit Assessments Content

Required and Recommended Readings

Edit Required Readings Content

Required Readings

Edit Required Readings Content

There is no set text for this paper. Readings will be provided through the SOCIO203 reading list. The readings will be necessary to successfully complete the lessons and engage with the short presentations.

Additional resources will also be made available through Moodle for some specific topics. Students are expected to engage in their own research and to read widely - extensive reading is the key to success in this paper.

Edit Required Readings Content

Online Support

Edit Online Support Content

Moodle is the primary means of delivering content for this this paper. Recordings of the short presentations will be uploaded to Panopto, which is accessible through Moodle. Information regarding readings and other course materials, the weekly lessons, and a weekly outline of tasks to be completed will be made available on Moodle, A range of support material will also be made available.

Announcements are sent to the class via Moodle frequently. If an announcement is sent out via Moodle, it is assumed you have received it.

Students are expected to utilise the resources available on Moodle as relevant, but must also undertake independent research to locate further material for assessments and other aspects of the paper. Reading a range of academic material relevant to the topic is crucial to adequately completing any assessment.

Other forms of online support and delivery:

  • the short presentations will initially be delivered via Zoom - the software and instructions for use are available on the University website. (These presentations will also be recorded and available via Panopto.)
  • the readings for the paper will be made available via the Reading List for the paper - a link will be provided on Moodle.
  • links to relevant videos and other online material will be provided either in lessons or directly via Moodle.
  • for students unable to attend face-to-face tutorials, an online alternative will be made available.
Edit Online Support Content

Workload

Edit Workload Content
This paper is worth 15 points. As a full semester workload is 60 points, students should expected to devote 25% of a fulltime workload to this paper i.e. an average of ten hours per week throughout the entire semester, including undertaking each week's readings, engaging with the lessons and short presentations, attending tutorials, and reading, researching and writing for assessments. Completing the work for each week before the end of that week will ensure that you keep up with the material.
Edit Workload Content

Linkages to Other Papers

Edit Linkages Content

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Equivalent(s)

Restriction(s)

Restricted papers: SOCY202

Edit Linkages Content