ANTH 2041 - Subculture to Pop Culture: Fans, Fashion & Music

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course examines the central role that popular culture plays in people's everyday lives in diverse contexts around the world ? from the margins to the mainstream. It does so through the study of subcultures, a term used to describe groups that are often seen to be deviant or other. It uses case-studies to explore the origins of subcultural research and contemporary critiques posed by post-subcultural and digital researchers. Groups explored across the course include fans, music communities like Punks, Mods and Hip-Hop artists; heavily tattooed people; style-based Internet collectives (core aesthetics), Graffiti Writers and Skaters. Themes covered include debates about the commercialisation of youth subcultures; if and how social media and streaming are re-shaping subcultures and music consumption; embodied understandings of fashion and tattooing; and the relationship between age and subcultural participation. The course investigates how theorists from cultural studies, media and other disciplines have understood subcultures / popular culture, highlighting what anthropology contributes to these fields. It demonstrates that people form meaningful collective identities through the production and consumption of fashion, music, fandom, and material culture.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANTH 2041
    Course Subculture to Pop Culture: Fans, Fashion & Music
    Coordinating Unit Anthropology and Development Studies
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study
    Course Description This course examines the central role that popular culture plays in people's everyday lives in diverse contexts around the world ? from the margins to the mainstream. It does so through the study of subcultures, a term used to describe groups that are often seen to be deviant or other. It uses case-studies to explore the origins of subcultural research and contemporary critiques posed by post-subcultural and digital researchers. Groups explored across the course include fans, music communities like Punks, Mods and Hip-Hop artists; heavily tattooed people; style-based Internet collectives (core aesthetics), Graffiti Writers and Skaters. Themes covered include debates about the commercialisation of youth subcultures; if and how social media and streaming are re-shaping subcultures and music consumption; embodied understandings of fashion and tattooing; and the relationship between age and subcultural participation. The course investigates how theorists from cultural studies, media and other disciplines have understood subcultures / popular culture, highlighting what anthropology contributes to these fields. It demonstrates that people form meaningful collective identities through the production and consumption of fashion, music, fandom, and material culture.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Andrew Skuse

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Understand theories and methods used in socio-cultural anthropology and apply this knowledge to contemporary examples in the fields of music, media and materialculture studies
    2 Evaluate central themes, propositions and concepts in the anthropology of popular culture demonstrating creative / critical thinking, and, problem solving skills
    3 Recognise the important role that social and cultural factors play in shaping people’s uses and understandings of music, media and material culture in diverses ettings around the world
    4 Display communication skills in both individual and group work, including the capacity to work in a team and to effectively use different media to convey ideas andinformation
    5 Navigate and use relevant digital technologies and forms of communication (i.e. ICT-based devices, software, video / power-point presentations, online quizzes, email)
    6 Illustrate digital information and media literacy by finding, evaluating, and, presenting digital information from both academic and other sources like social media
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2, 3

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    3,5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1,2,3

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    N/A

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    4,5,6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    2,3,4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    All required resources for this course will be made available on MyUni. 

    Weekly required and recommended readings will be provided electronically and will be accessible at the beginning of semester. 

    Lecture materials (audio-recording and powerpoint slides) will be posted weekly on MyUni.

    No text books or other materials are required.
    Recommended Resources
    Recommended resources will be provided electronically via MyUni or in-class (e.g. essay writing guides, writing in first person in Anthropology guide). 
    Online Learning
    This course will make use of the online learning tool MyUni as a platform for learning in the course including; making announcements, providing an online discussion board, making all course material and assignments available (e.g. reading list, lecture recordings / powerpoints etc).

    All assessment tasks will be submitted (e.g. written work, group presentation) or completed (e.g. quiz) electronically via MyUni. 

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The learning and teaching mode for this course is based around weekly ‘themes’ where a specific topic is explored in both the readings and weekly lecture or other activity.

    Insights from the lecture / readings are further developed in two hour weekly workshops where students discuss the content and complete tasks (e.g. go on a tour of street art / public art, watch short documentaries / clips, engage in debates, work through questions in small groups, reflect on their own experience and so on). As such, workshop participation forms an essential part of this course.

    The learning mode in this course is influenced by active learning (learning through doing) with an emphasis on real-life scenarios and examples.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Contact Hours (Formal / Structured workload) = 3 Hours
    Lectures: 1 hour per week
    Workshop: 2 hours per week

    Research, reading and preparation for workshop and assessment (Unstructured work load): 

    Workshop preparation (reading): between 3-4 hours per week
    Preparation for assignments and reading supplementary readings: 5-7 hours per week (average)
    Learning Activities Summary
    Rough Lecture Plan / Weekly Themes 
    Note: This is a broad overview and the order of themes / topics covered may change. Check MyUni for the most up to date information.

    Week One - Introducing Popular Culture: Art on the Streets
    Week Two - Fandom Research Project
    Week Three - Popular Consumption: From Domination to Resistance
    Week Four -  Subcultures, Scenes and Youth Culture
    Week Five - From Texts to Contexts: Media Anthropology and Ethnographic Research Methods
    Week Six - Material Culture: Consumption and Disposal
    Week Seven - Digital Anthropology: Technology and Culture
    Week Eight - Streaming Sounds: Digital Music Production, Distribution and Consumption
    Week Nine - Fandom Group Project Presentations / Discussion
    Week Ten - Adorning the Body: Fashion and Style
    Week Eleven - Inscribing the Body: Tattooing 
    Week Twelve - Essay Writing Week
    Specific Course Requirements
    None - not applicable. 
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    The assessment for this course has four components:

    (1) Quizzes x 2 (10% each)
    (2) Fandom Project
    (3) Active Participation (Workshop)
    (4) Final Research Essay

    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Quizzes Formative and Summative TBA 10% x 2 1-6
    Fandom Project Formative and Summative Week 9 25% 1-6
    Active Participation (Workshop) Formative and Summative Ongoing 10% 1-6
    Final Research Essay  Summative TBA - End of semester 45% 1-6

    Quizzes: Students complete online quizzes that will cover key concepts discussed in course readings.

    Fandom Project: Students will work in small groups of 4-5 students to research a fan community that they select. Both the process (i.e. reflection on group work – 5%) and final product (video, oral presentation or power-point presentation – 20%) will be assessed. 25% total weighting.

    Active Participation (Workshop): Students preparation for workshops and contributions to class discussion / activities will be assessed. 

    Final Research Essay: Students will write a research essay that addresses one of the course topics.

    Assessment Related Requirements
    There are no hurdle requirements for this course (e.g. you do not need to pass / submit each component to pass the course overall).
    Assessment Detail
    Submission
    All written assignments must be submitted electronically via Turnitin using the MyUni website.

    Extensions: 
    There will be no extensions for any assessment tasks (e.g. quizzes, group presentations, written assignments) without adequate documentation. You must seek extensions before the due date. Communication with your course co-ordinator or tutor is critical!

    Note: If you have an access plan the rules for extensions are different. You should discuss with your course co-ordinator or tutor at the beginning of semester.

    All students are encouraged to read through the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303 for further information about the extensions procedure.

    In brief, you need to submit an Application for Assessment Extension form BEFORE the due date and with the relevant supporting documentation that applies to your situation.

    In many cases this involves getting a suitable person (i.e. medical practitioner, counsellor) to fill out a section of the form. A medical certificate alone is insufficient. Please remember to bring a copy of the form if you have an appointment with a GP etc.

    A copy of the form can be downloaded here and will also be available on My Uni:
    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303/?dsn=policy.document;field=data;id=7446;m=view 

    Here are some of the important details:

    • Modified Arrangements will not be granted for Circumstances such as, but not limited to, the following (see clause c):
    i. balancing workloads from other units of study, disciplines or faculties;
    ii. personal commitments or events such as international travel, holidays or weddings;
    iii. temporary minor ailments such as colds, minor respiratory infections, headaches or minor gastric upsets;
    iv. stress or anxiety normally associated with examinations, required assessment tasks or any aspect of course work;
    v. misreading or misunderstanding of the examination timetable.

    • Course co-ordinators can only give extensions of 10 business days. Longer time frames need to be approved by the Head of School.

    Late Penalties:
    2 marks will be deducted from late work if it is not received/completed by the advised time on the due date.

    You will be penalised a further 2 marks for each additional day that the work is overdue.

    Assessment tasks that are more than 7 days overdue will not be graded and will receive a zero mark.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.