ETS 145 READING POPULAR CULTURE
Instructor: Cristina Lucia Stasia
Course Meetings: MWF 10:35-11:30 am in HL 105
Course Screenings: W 7:00-10:00 pm in HL 105
Office: HL 401
Office Hours: F 4:00-5:00 pm at Starbucks and by appointment
E-mail: cristinastasia@mac.com
Course Description
Reading popular culture is designed to provide students with the theoretical vocabulary and critical skills to
analyze the media-oriented culture in which they live and learn. This course takes popular
culture seriously and considers the ways that popular culture comes to mean for various
audiences. Through an examination of aspects of popular culture practices and theories, we will
explore "culture" as a lived set of practices spanning a variety of forms which cuts
across (and informs) categorizations such as class, gender, sexuality, race, and citizenship.
Using the methodology of cultural studies, the course will survey the history of the term popular
culture as well as current critical engagements with it.
Maintaining a focus on visual culture, we will critically analyze a range of cultural texts, including cinema, television, popular music, theme parks, and advertising. However, our focus will be on film and we will read films from recent years which highlight popular culture debates and theories. These films will focus our readings and discussions and serve as spaces for learning how to read popular culture.
For the final section of the course, you will sharpen and refine the skills you have developed by interrogating one specific popular culture site: the action film.
Required Texts
1. Maria Sturken and Lisa Cartwright, Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture (Oxford UP, 2001). Abbreviated as POL in the syllabus.
2. Course Reader # 1033. Abbreviated as R in the syllabus.
Recommended Text
Joseph Gibaldi, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th edition (Modern Language Association of America, 2003). >This text is strongly recommended if you do not already have a MLA guide. Both books are available at the University Bookstore. The course reader is available at Campus Copy Center in Marshall Mall.
Screenings
The films, music videos and TV shows to be studied are listed on the syllabus and will be shown on Wednesday nights.These screenings are required and comprise the content of the course just as much as the reading does.
You will need to take notes at the screenings for specific reference in class discussion, formal papers and the final exam. Do not try to write a transcription of the film. Instead, keep brief notes of the characters’ names, settings, events in the plot and notable quotations, so that you develop the habit of thinking about film, TV and music videos with specificity. As a starting point, keep track of repeated elements, of surprises, key scenes and your initial emotional and intellectual responses to them. Also, as you watch, keep in mind where we are in the syllabus and where we are going since the syllabus is designed to begin making connections flow from week to week, and from text to text. It is important to relate the different screenings to each other, and to begin to understand how they complement and/or challenge each other.
Note: Important information (cast lists, dates, production info) about films and TV shows is available at www.imdb.com. The screenings are held in a darkened room, so you should get in the habit of bringing a pocket flashlight or LED pen with you.
Class Participation
The format of the course will rely primarily on class discussions of the material from the screenings in conjunction with the reading assignments. Accordingly, 20% of your course grade will be a participation grade which evaluates your sustained participation each week both in class, at the screenings and in Blackboard postings.
In preparation for discussion, all the readings and screenings listed on the syllabus are required and each assignment must be completed by the date listed. Come to class prepared to establish connections between the screenings and the readings. NOTE: If you miss a class, you are responsible for the work assigned and you should contact your homework partner to find out what you missed. Do not e-mail me to find out what
you
missed.
Excellent participation (A-/A/A+): Readings are read and annotated; you arrive to class on time and prepared; you speak at least twice per class; you post regularly and thoughtfully on Blackboard and respond to at least one of your classmate’s posts; you actively ask questions; you are able to answer my questions about the readings and films; you meet with me about your papers in a timely manner; you hand in assignments on time.
Good participation (B-/B/B+): Readings are read and annotated; you arrive to class on time and prepared; you speak at least once per class; you post regularly and thoughtfully on Blackboard; you actively ask questions; you are able to answer my questions about the readings and films; you meet with me about your papers in a timely manner; you hand in assignments on time.
Fair participation (C-/C/C+): Readings are read; you arrive to class on time and prepared; you contribute to class discussion every week; you post on Blackboard on time; you meet with me about your assignments; you hand in assignments on time.
Poor participation (D/F): You do not keep up with the readings; you arrive to class late and/or miss class; your posts on Blackboard are late and/or short; you hand in assignments late; you do not contact me with questions or meet with me about your assignments.
| Formal Assignments | |
| Textual Reading of an Advertisement........ | 10% |
| Disney Analysis...................................... | 15% |
| Midterm Exam........................................ | 20% |
| Take Home Final.................................... | 15% |
| Final Exam............................................ | 20% |
| Participation/Blackboard.......................... | 20% |
| Extra Credit | |
| Online Project........................................ | 5% |
You are encouraged to create an online project that takes up the themes of the course. A few ideas: you may modify a formal assignment (ex: create a series of spoof ads that you post online), create a new project (ex: a compilation of clips that illustrate the racism/ sexism/ classism/ homophobia in a film/genre of films or a compilation of clips that shows the gay subtext in a film), create a website, engage in online activism, etc. You are limited only by your imagination.
You must post your project online (youtube.com, your own website, as a link from the course site, etc.) and have three people comment on it in order to receive the extra credit.
You must clear your idea with me before you create it in order to ensure it will qualify for extra credit.
Blackboard
As a means of facilitating discussion prior to and after class meetings, I have set up a blackboard page devoted exclusively to this course. You may post as often as you wish, but you are required to post on Blackboard once a week before Thursday at 5 pm.
You are not required to post for the first week; first Blackboard posts are due Thursday,
September 6th.
The main purpose of board discussions is to start conversations before we get to class; however, everyone is encouraged to reply to or start topics as often as they wish. Your post should critically address an issue raised by the screening, the readings or discussion in class. You are encouraged to make connections across the weeks.
The more you use the discussion board, the better for your participation grade— particularly if you are shy and reluctant to speak often in class. I will make every effort to bring the board discussions to class and I encourage you to do so as well.
As the semester progresses, I may set up a week’s forum with specific questions to discuss; however, if I do not your only requirement is that you add something new to the ongoing discussion. Either start a new thread of reply to one already there. I will also be using Blackboard to post internet links, sometimes as an additional supplementary assignment for class discussion. Please check the Announcements board on the course website on a daily basis.
To sign in, go to http://blackboard.syr.edu/ Log in as a new user. Your user ID will always be your CMS account username (the portion of your SU e-mail that appears before @syr.edu—but do not include the @syr.edu when logging in). If you do not know what your user ID is, visit the CMS website to obtain this information. You can also obtain this information by calling 443 2677 or by going to the Help desk at 116 Hinds Hall. In order to login to Blackboard, you must also have a password. Your student ID number has been set up as your password. When entering your ID number, use only the first 9 digits, and do not include the hyphen. If you have trouble logging in, use the Help or FAQ link; instructions there are very clear.
Special Needs and Situations
Students who need special consideration because of any sort of disability or situation must make an appointment to see me. Please be aware the letters from Student Services are not retroactive. In order to receive accommodations you must inform me before the assignment is due or the exam is taken.
Plagiarism
I take plagiarism very seriously. Consequences will include a F on the assignment, may include a F in the course and will necessitate follow up with the Academic Integrity office. University policy states:
"The submission of any work by a student is taken as a guarantee that the thoughts and expressions in it are the student's own except when properly credited to another.
Violations of this principle include giving or receiving aid in
an exam or where otherwise prohibited, fraud, plagiarism, the
falsification or forgery of any record, or any other deceptive act in
connection with academic work. Plagiarism is the representation of
another's words, ideas, programs, formulae, opinions, or other products
of work as one's own, either overtly or by failing to attribute them to
their true source" (Section 1.0, Syracuse University Academic Rules and Regulations).
If you are unsure if what you are doing is plagiarism, ask me.
For more information and the complete policy, see http://academicintegrity.syr.edu.
Use of Student Writing
It is understood that registration for and continued enrollment in this course constitutes permission by the student for the instructor to use any student work constructed as a result of said enrollment in course and/or handed in to me.
Format of Work
Anything handed in must be work-processed, double-spaced, and follow proper MLA format as outlined in the MLA handbook. This includes one inch margins, Times New Roman font in 12 point, proper pagination and a creative and informative title.
Late Work Policy
Work is due at the beginning of class on the specified due date. You will be penalized 10% per day for every day that it is late (weekends included).
In fairness to your classmates who submit their work on time, I grant extensions only for medical reasons or personal emergencies.
Writing Consultants
Writing Consultants are available in the Writing Center on an appointment and drop-in basis for assistance with any stage of your writing. I strongly recommend you visit the writing center for your major papers.
Back Up Your Work
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of backing up your course notes, research notes, paper drafts and final papers. Computers crash unexpectedly, usually the night before a paper is due. Thumb drives are an inexpensive way to assure that your work is backed up and accessible.
Not only does backing up your work on a flash drive/thumb drive/iDisk protect you in case of a computer crash (which is not a valid reason for a late paper), but also should questions about academic honesty arise you will have a paper trail of your research and drafting process.
I reiterate: computer crashes do not excuse late work, especially since I have cautioned you to back up all your work.
Cell Phone Policy
If your cell phone rings during class, I get to answer it.
