SOCIO203-21B (HAM)

Popular Culture

15 Points

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

Staff

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Convenor(s)

Johanna Schmidt

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

Lecturer(s)

Administrator(s)

: rosie.webb@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.
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Paper Description

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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.
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Paper Structure

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This paper involves one two-hour lecture and one one-hour tutorial per week. (Tutorials start in the second week of the trimester.) Discussion in class is encouraged, and students are welcome to either email or bring in examples of popular culture that is relevant to the paper content. Students who actively participate in their learning (attending lectures and tutorials, asking questions for clarification, and engaging in discussions) are likely to the most out of the paper.

Assessments will be covered in detail in tutorials, and students will be given significant guidance in undertaking the various pieces of coursework.

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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the paper 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:
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Assessment

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Detailed information regarding each assessment will be delivered in class and via Moodle, and students will have ample opportunity in lectures and tutorials 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.
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Assessment Components

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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 70:30. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 30% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 70:30 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 30% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Tutorial engagement
5
  • In Class: In Tutorial
2. Text analysis
13 Aug 2021
10:00 PM
15
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
3. Online test
14 Sep 2021
No set time
15
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
4. Essay template
1 Oct 2021
12:00 AM
5
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
5. Essay
15 Oct 2021
10:00 PM
30
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
6. Exam
30
✔
Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
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Required and Recommended Readings

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Required Readings

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There is no set text for this paper. Readings will be provided through the SOCIO203 reading list. Students are expected to undertake the required readings prior to the relevant lecture and tutorial.

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.

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Online Support

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Moodle is the primary online support system for this paper, and it is thus important that you have access to Moodle, and that your contact details on Moodle are correct. Lecture notes, required and recommended readings, links to useful websites, and other helpful material will be placed on Moodle. If a resource is uploaded to Moodle, it is assumed that you have access to it.

Notices are sent to the class via Moodle frequently. If a notice is sent out via Moodle, it is assumed that you have received it.

If, for any reason, you are unable to access Moodle, please advise Johanna so that alternative arrangements can be made until you do have access.

Students are expected to utilised 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.

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Workload

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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, attending lecture and 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.
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Linkages to Other Papers

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Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Equivalent(s)

Restriction(s)

Restricted papers: SOCY202

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