ANTH 2041 - Pop Anthropology: Music, Media & Material Culture

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

This course examines the central role that popular culture plays in people's everyday lives in diverse contexts around the world. It explores the impacts of industrialisation, globalisation and new technological developments on the production and consumption of fashion, music, film, fandom, art, and material culture. The course draws on examples like graffiti writing, tattooing and household decoration to consider how people use popular culture to form and express identities and relationships (e.g. what factors shape where people shop, the music that they listen to, their use of social media and how they modify their bodies?). In particular, the course considers how taste distinctions like 'low' and 'high' culture are shaped by social / cultural norms and values. It investigates how theorists from cultural studies, media studies and other disciplines have understood popular culture and highlights what anthropology contributes to this field.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANTH 2041
    Course Pop Anthropology: Music, Media & Material Culture
    Coordinating Unit Anthropology and Development Studies
    Term Semester 2
    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
    Incompatible ANTH 2022 or ANTH 3022
    Course Description This course examines the central role that popular culture plays in people's everyday lives in diverse contexts around the world. It explores the impacts of industrialisation, globalisation and new technological developments on the production and consumption of fashion, music, film, fandom, art, and material culture. The course draws on examples like graffiti writing, tattooing and household decoration to consider how people use popular culture to form and express identities and relationships (e.g. what factors shape where people shop, the music that they listen to, their use of social media and how they modify their bodies?). In particular, the course considers how taste distinctions like 'low' and 'high' culture are shaped by social / cultural norms and values. It investigates how theorists from cultural studies, media studies and other disciplines have understood popular culture and highlights what anthropology contributes to this field.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Johnny Karanicolas

    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
    Lectures supported by problem-solving workshops developing the material covered in lectures.
    Workload

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

    1 x 1-hour lecture (or equivalent) per week 12 hours per semester
    1 x 2-hour workshop (or equivalent) per week 24 hours per semester
    6 hours reading per week 72 hours per semester
    2 hours research per week 24 hours per semester
    2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 Introducing Popular Culture: Art on the Streets
    Week 2 From Domination to Resistance
    Week 3 Subcultures, Scenes and Youth Cultures
    Week 4 Texts to Contexts: Media Anthropology Methods
    Week 5 Material Culture: Consumption and Disposal
    Week 6 Fandom Week
    Week 7 Essay Writing Week
    Week 8 Digital Anthropology: Technology and Culture
    Week 9 Streaming Sounds
    Week 10 No Lecture
    Week 11 Adorning the Body: Fashion and Style
    Week 12 Inscribing the Body: Ink in Skin
    NOTE: This is a guide only and may change. For the most up to date information see MyUni.
  • 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
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome
    Active Participation Formative and Summative 10% 1-4
    Quiz (2 x 10%) Formative and Summative 20% 1,3,5
    Group Charter / Plan Formative and Summative 5% 4,5
    Fandom Group Project Summative 20% 1-6
    Final Essay Summative 45% 1-6
    Assessment Detail
    Detailed assessment information will be provided on MyUni. There are no hurdle requirements or examinations in this course.
    Submission
    All assignments to be submitted electronically via MyUni.
    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.

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