Cultural Studies

This course offers an in-depth exploration of Cultural Studies with a specific focus on the concept of representation, as articulated by Stuart Hall. Representation is a central concept in Cultural Studies, referring to the ways in which meaning is constructed and communicated through language, media, and other cultural forms.

This course will examine how cultural meanings are produced, disseminated, and interpreted within various media and social contexts, and how these processes shape our understanding of the world.

Students will engage with key theoretical frameworks and methodologies used in Cultural Studies to analyse the role of representation in constructing social identities and power dynamics.  The course will cover topics such as media and textbook representations of race, gender, and class; the impact of stereotypes; the relationship between culture, power, and ideology; and the global circulation of cultural products.

Through lectures, discussions, case studies, and practical exercises, students will develop critical thinking skills and the ability to apply theoretical concepts to real-world cultural phenomena and classroom teaching.

This course is designed for international students who are interested in understanding the complexities of cultural representation and its implications for teaching intercultural citizenship in English as a foreign language and other subjects.

By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to critically analyse cultural texts and practices, and to reflect on their own cultural positions and biases as future teachers.