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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)	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
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 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