Cultural Studies I

level of course unit

first cycle, Bachelor

Learning outcomes of course unit

The students understand cultural studies approaches and recognize central paradigms of cultural, social and media developments. They can describe the changeability of cultural constructs, identify influences from media development and locate their development impulses in time. They are able to explain comprehensive topics such as “identity” and “memory” using examples.

The students acquire the ability to express themselves critically and self-critically and to express ethical obligations.

prerequisites and co-requisites

not applicable

course contents

Cultural Studies I introduces the fundamentals of cultural studies contexts and provides a frame of reference for cultural management.
Language as an elementary as well as complex communication medium is examined by means of the basic models of semiotics and the understanding of discourse according to Michel Foucault. An introduction to media development from book printing to technology-based and digital media focuses on the influence of media on social order and communication, for example in the momentous differences between orality and writing, the changed ideas of representation and reality due to the emergence of audiovisual media, the era of mass media and the cultural industry, and interactive, individualized communication since Web 2.0.
Finally, cultural constructs that serve societies as orientation aids and at the same time have socio-political implications are considered in their changes: These include the notions of “time” and “space”, the emergence of and factors influencing individual and collective identities, and the role of “memory” and “remembrance” for communities.
Definitions of culture and concepts of culture as well as their changeability in the course of media development provide an important matrix for the contexts mentioned above. Recent developments such as the read-write culture (Lawrence Lessig), remix and net cultures (Felix Stalder) are taken into account.