GEP0605 Popular CultureBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs MEDICINEGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementBologna CommissionNational Qualifications
MEDICINE
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 7 QF-EHEA: Second Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 7

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
GEP0605 Popular Culture Spring 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) Integrates the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired from basic and clinical medical sciences, behavioral sciences and social sciences, and uses them in health service delivery. 1
2) In patient management, shows a biopsychosocial approach that takes into account the socio-demographic and sociocultural background of the individual, regardless of language, religion, race and gender. 5
3) In the provision of health services, prioritizes the protection and development of the health of individuals and society. 2
4) Taking into account the individual, societal, social and environmental factors affecting health; does the necessary work to maintain and improve the state of health. 2
5) By recognizing the characteristics, needs and expectations of the target audience, provides health education to healthy/sick individuals and their relatives and other healthcare professionals. 2
6) Shows a safe, rational and effective approach in health service delivery, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and rehabilitation processes.
7) Performs invasive and/or non-invasive procedures in diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and rehabilitation processes in a safe and effective way for the patient. 2
8) Provides health services by considering patient and employee health and safety. 2
9) In the provision of health services, takes into account the changes in the physical and socioeconomic environment on a regional and global scale, as well as the changes in the individual characteristics and behaviors of the people who apply to it. 2
10) Takes good medical practice into account while carrying out his/her profession. 2
11) Fulfills its duties and obligations within the framework of ethical principles, rights and legal responsibilities required by its profession. 2
12) Demonstrates decisive behavior in providing high-quality health care, taking into account the integrity of the patient. 2
13) Evaluates his/her performance in his/her professional practice by considering his/her emotions and cognitive characteristics. 2
14) Advocates improving the provision of health services by considering the concepts of social reliability and social responsibility for the protection and development of public health. 2
15) Can plan and carry out service delivery, training and consultancy processes related to individual and community health in cooperation with all components for the protection and development of health. 2
16) Evaluates the impact of health policies and practices on individual and community health indicators and advocates increasing the quality of health services. 1
17) The physician attaches importance to the protection of his/her own physical, mental and social health, and does what is necessary for this 2
18) Shows exemplary behavior and leads the healthcare team during service delivery. 2
19) Uses resources cost-effectively, for the benefit of society and in accordance with the legislation, in the planning, implementation and evaluation processes of health services in the health institution he/she is the manager of.
20) Establishes positive communication within the health team it serves and assumes different team roles when necessary.
21) Is aware of the duties and responsibilities of the health workers in the health team and acts accordingly.
22) In the professional practices, works in harmony and effectively with the colleagues and other professional groups.
23) Communicates effectively with patients, their relatives, healthcare professionals, other professional groups, institutions and organizations.
24) Communicates effectively with individuals and groups that require a special approach and have different socio-cultural characteristics.
25) In the diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and rehabilitation processes, shows a patient-centered approach that associates the patient with the decision-making mechanisms.
26) Plans and implements scientific research, when necessary, for the population it serves, and uses the results and/or the results of other research for the benefit of the society.
27) Reaches and critically evaluates current literature knowledge about his/her profession.
28) Applies the principles of evidence-based medicine in clinical decision making.
29) Uses information technologies to increase the effectiveness of its work on health care, research and education.
30) Effectively manages individual work processes and career development.
31) Demonstrates skills in acquiring and evaluating new knowledge, integrating it with existing knowledge, applying it to professional situations and adapting to changing conditions throughout professional life.
32) Selects the right learning resources to improve the quality of the health service it offers, organizes its own learning process