Cultural Sociology (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

After completion of the course the student is able to
- identify essential theories and debates of cultural sociology
- explore cultural institutions and phenomena – for example media, popular culture and art – from a political perspective
- view the production of communality and social differences as a cultural phenomenon.

Execution methods

Teaching profile: ONLINE 2.

Accomplishment methods

The course is completed by reading the literature and taking a book exam (on EXAM).

Content

Cultural sociology studies what binds individuals, groups and societies together or on the other hand separates them from each other. Cultural sociology studies also how culture is present in human interaction and in the formation and reproduction of social structures. This course focuses on culture by three interconnected perspectives. Firstly, the course helps to understand what culture is and from what kinds of theoretical perspectives it can be understood, for example as meanings, symbols, cultural products and habits in consumption. Secondly, the course focuses on the political nature of cultural phenomena such as taste, cultural products and sub-cultures. Thirdly, the course helps to view culture from the perspective of belonging and participation: for example, how culture functions in the reproduction of social binds and differences.

Materials

Choose 3 from the following:

• 
  

  Eriksen, Thomas Hylland (2016) Overheating: An Anthropology of Accelerated Change. London: Pluto Press.

  
  


• 
  

  Ron Jacobs, Les Back, Ian Woodward, Andy Bennett, Margaret Gibson, David Inglis, Laura Desfor Edles (2012) Cultural Sociology: An Introduction.

  
  


• 
  

  Hochschild, Arlie (2016) Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right. New York: The New Press.

  
  


• 
  

  Ilmonen, Kaj (2007) Johan on markkinat. Kulutuksen sosiologista tarkastelua. Tampere: Vastapaino.

  
  


• 
  

  Lehtonen, Mikko (2014) Maa-Ilma – materialistisen kulttuuriteorian lähtökohtia. Tampere: Vastapaino.

  
  


• 
  

  Purhonen, Semi ym. (2014) Suomalainen maku. Kulttuuripääoma, kulutus ja elämäntyylien sosiaalinen eriytyminen. Helsinki: Gaudeamus.

  
  

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Fail (0): Performance is highly deficient or erroneous. The work may be based on serious misunderstandings.

Sufficient (1): Performance is lacking in scope, superficial, or corresponds poorly to the assignment. The author merely lists things out of context.

Satisfactory (2): The performance mainly repeats the content of the course or addresses them one-sidedly. The work may contain errors or obscurities.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good (3): Performance corresponds to the assignment, manifesting skills to analyse and justify the content of the course. The work may contain some deficiencies.

Very good (4): The author has addressed the issue comprehensively. Performance manifest comprehension and skills to critically analyse and argue the content of the course.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5): Performance delineates an extensive whole and the author can apply knowledge in a multifaceted way or place it in various contexts. The work manifests independency and insight, and it is a flawless entity that involves justified thinking or critical contemplation. The work is well written and implemented.