GEP0605 Popular CultureBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs ADVERTISINGGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementBologna CommissionNational Qualifications
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Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
GEP0605 Popular Culture Spring
Fall
3 0 3 5
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: GE-Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: E-Learning
Course Coordinator : Assoc. Prof. HATİCE ÖVGÜ TÜZÜN
Recommended Optional Program Components: none
Course Objectives: This course aims to enhance students' ability to "read" films as products of popular culture while developing skills in decoding their narrative subtexts. It fosters greater proficiency in discussing films critically and cultivates visual literacy, enabling a deeper understanding of cinematic language. Additionally, the course explores film as a reflection of different cultures and historical periods, encouraging students to analyze its socio-cultural significance. Finally, it promotes personal engagement with films, allowing students to articulate their subjective responses and form meaningful connections with cinematic works.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
Students will develop and demonstrate analytical and critical thinking skills in visual literacy and textual analysis, allowing them to engage more deeply with cinematic works. They will gain familiarity with various approaches to discussing and evaluating film, not only as a reflection of cultures but also as complex, multi-layered narratives shaped by their historical and socio-cultural contexts. Additionally, students will actively participate in an environment that encourages discussions beyond the surface level of narrative, fostering a more nuanced appreciation of film as an art form and cultural artifact.

Course Content

The aim of this course is to provide students with the tools to critically analyze various themes, ideas, trends and concepts that pervade popular culture and understand them within a broader social context. We will approach popular culture as a body of widely shared and contested beliefs and as the place where social norms gain much of their power. In addition to exploring the significance of popular culture through detailed analysis of selected films, students will learn to assess the value of different critiques of popular culture and explore various methods that investigate both what popular culture does to people and what people do with popular culture.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction to Class none
2) The Truman Show Come to class having watched The Truman Show
3) The Truman Show Come to class having watched the videos on The Truman Show shared on teams page
4) Ex Machina Come to class having watched Ex Machina
5) Ex Machina Come to class having watched the videos on Ex Machina shared on teams page
6) Inception Come to class having watched Inception
7) Inception Come to class having watched the videos on Inception shared on teams page
8) Midterm Review weeks 1-8 for the exam
9) Prometheus come to class having watched Prometheus
10) Prometheus Come to class having watched the videos on Prometheus shared on Teams page
11) The Social Network Come to class having watched The Social Network
12) The Social Network Come to class having watched the videos on The Social Network shared on Teams page
13) The Wild Robot Come to class having watched The Wild Robot
14) The Wild Robot Come to class having watched the videos on The Wild Robot shared on Teams page

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: none
References: John Storey – Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: An Introduction
Dominic Strinati – An Introduction to Theories of Popular Culture
Marcel Danesi – Popular Culture: Introductory Perspectives

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 14 % 10
Midterms 1 % 40
Final 1 % 50
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 50
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 50
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 13 3 39
Study Hours Out of Class 14 5 70
Midterms 1 2 2
Final 1 2 2
Total Workload 113

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) To prepare students to become communication professionals by focusing on strategic thinking, professional writing, ethical practices, and the innovative use of both traditional and new media 3
2) To be able to explain and define problems related to the relationship between facts and phenomena in areas such as Advertising, Persuasive Communication, and Brand Management 3
3) To critically discuss and interpret theories, concepts, methods, tools, and ideas in the field of advertising 3
4) To be able to follow and interpret innovations in the field of advertising 1
5) To demonstrate a scientific perspective in line with the topics they are curious about in the field. 5
6) To address and solve the needs and problems of the field through the developed scientific perspective 3
7) To recognize and understand all the dynamics within the field of advertising 2
8) To analyze and develop solutions to problems encountered in the practical field of advertising 2