GEP0605 Popular CultureBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs ADVERTISINGGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
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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 : Assist. 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) Science fiction and fantasy, Frank Herbert, Dune universe, Power and colonialism, destiny, prophecy and dreams. Come to class having watched Dune 1
3) Fate vs. Free Will, Religion and Messiah Complex, character development of the protagonist, forces of antagonism. Come to class having watched Dune 2
4) Hero's journey, power and politics, cycle of violence and war watch short videos about Dune 1 and 2 shared on teams page
5) Speculative Science Fiction, sentient AI, futuristic LA as a deceptively utopian setting Come to class having watched Her
6) love and connection, isolation and loneliness, character development of the protagonist Come to class having watched short videos about Her shared on teams page
7) Nature of Reality, dreams, nature of storytelling Come to class having watched Inception
8) Midterm Review weeks 1-8 for the exam
9) the power of the subconscious mind, guilt and subconscious projections, dream as metaphor for filmmaking come to class having watched short videos about Inception shared on teams page
10) the myth of Prometheus, the search for origins, creation and creators come to class having watched Prometheus
11) AI as an existential threat, Playing God, cycle of destruction and rebirth come to class having watched short videos about Prometheus shared on teams page
12) Npcs and AI sentience, critique of corporate capitalism, heroism and self-actualisation come to class having watched Free Guy
13) Cliches, fetishes, the kitsch, the cult, tales & myths and story-telling. -Film for class discussion: Big Fish -Comparative discussion with The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter or The Fisher King
13) Love and connection, meaning and purpose, gaming industry Come to class having watched short videos about Free Guy shared on teams page
14) Review of the semester none

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 be able to apply theoretical concepts related to mass communication, consumer behavior, psychology, persuasion,sociology, marketing, and other related fields to understand how advertising and brand communication works in a free-market economy. 1
2) To be able to critically discuss and interpret theories, concepts, methods, tools and ideas in the field of advertising. 2
3) To be able to research, create, design, write, and present an advertising campaign and brand strategies of their own creation and compete for an account as they would at an advertising agency. 2
4) To be able to analyze primary and secondary research data for a variety of products and services. 3
5) To be able to develop an understanding of the history of advertising as it relates to the emergence of mass media outlets and the importance of advertising in the marketplace. 2
6) To be able to follow developments, techniques, methods, as well as research in advertising field; and to be able to communicate with international colleagues in a foreign language. (“European Language Portfolio Global Scale”, Level B1) 3
7) To be able to take responsibility in an individual capacity or as a team in generating solutions to unexpected problems that arise during implementation process in the Advertising field. 2
8) To be able to understand how advertising works in a global economy, taking into account cultural, societal, political, and economic differences that exist across countries and cultures. 3
9) To be able to approach the dynamics of the field with an integrated perspective, with creative and critical thinking, develop original and creative strategies. 3
10) To be able to to create strategic advertisements for print, broadcast, online and other media, as well as how to integrate a campaign idea across several media categories in a culturally diverse marketplace. 2
11) To be able to use computer software required by the discipline and to possess advanced-level computing and IT skills. (“European Computer Driving Licence”, Advanced Level) 1
12) To be able to identify and meet the demands of learning requirements. 2
13) To be able to develop an understanding and appreciation of the core ethical principles of the advertising profession. 3