Last modified: 03 Jul 2025 16:46
This course introduces interdisciplinary perspectives on mainstream and minority popular cultures. Case studies consider both popular cultural media phenomena (such as Eurovision and rock) and traditional forms of popular cultural expression, such as fairy tales, traditional music and Scottish song.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
|
||
A range of mass and minority cultures will be analysed through questions of self-representation and identity, with reference to relevant sociocultural contexts. Students will examine how popular cultures and subcultures interact with, represent and shape current societies and politics.
The course allows students to develop theoretical and critical skills, applied within transnational frameworks. Students will study both theoretical and cultural texts and will be able to pursue further research on specific texts and topics.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 36 | Feedback Weeks | 39 | |
| Feedback |
At least 6 entries of 400-words each. Written feedback with optional individual follow-up. Participation will be marked according to the engagement they demonstrate with course materials, as well as timely posting of entries. Six entries is the minimum for full marks, and at least four entries must be completed to pass the course. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | You will demonstrate an ability to synthesise material from disparate sources and to take account of the wider cultural context of the topic under consideration. |
| Conceptual | Understand | You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts, issues and methodologies in the field of popular culture studies. |
| Procedural | Apply | You will apply critical reading skills to various theoretical and cultural texts, within relevant discipline, acquiring habits for autonomous learning, applying insights gained to new material. |
| Procedural | Create | You will articulate your views in speech and writing using the appropriate discourse for the subject. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | You will select, evaluate and organise primary and secondary material, assessing the role of mass and minority popular cultures in transnational processes. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 55 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 39 | Feedback Weeks | 42 | |
| Feedback |
3,500-word essay. Written feedback with option of individual follow-up. |
Word Count | 3500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | You will demonstrate an ability to synthesise material from disparate sources and to take account of the wider cultural context of the topic under consideration. |
| Conceptual | Understand | You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts, issues and methodologies in the field of popular culture studies. |
| Procedural | Apply | You will apply critical reading skills to various theoretical and cultural texts, within relevant discipline, acquiring habits for autonomous learning, applying insights gained to new material. |
| Procedural | Create | You will articulate your views in speech and writing using the appropriate discourse for the subject. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | You will select, evaluate and organise primary and secondary material, assessing the role of mass and minority popular cultures in transnational processes. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 35 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 30 | Feedback Weeks | 31 | |
| Feedback |
Possible approaches include but are not limited to:
Written feedback provided with option of individual follow-up. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | You will demonstrate an ability to synthesise material from disparate sources and to take account of the wider cultural context of the topic under consideration. |
| Conceptual | Understand | You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts, issues and methodologies in the field of popular culture studies. |
| Procedural | Apply | You will apply critical reading skills to various theoretical and cultural texts, within relevant discipline, acquiring habits for autonomous learning, applying insights gained to new material. |
| Procedural | Create | You will articulate your views in speech and writing using the appropriate discourse for the subject. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | You will select, evaluate and organise primary and secondary material, assessing the role of mass and minority popular cultures in transnational processes. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 50 | Feedback Weeks | 52 | |
| Feedback |
4,000-word essay. Feedback will be provided electronically. |
Word Count | 4000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | You will demonstrate an ability to synthesise material from disparate sources and to take account of the wider cultural context of the topic under consideration. |
| Procedural | Apply | You will apply critical reading skills to various theoretical and cultural texts, within relevant discipline, acquiring habits for autonomous learning, applying insights gained to new material. |
| Procedural | Evaluate | You will select, evaluate and organise primary and secondary material, assessing the role of mass and minority popular cultures in transnational processes. |
| Conceptual | Understand | You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key concepts, issues and methodologies in the field of popular culture studies. |
| Procedural | Create | You will articulate your views in speech and writing using the appropriate discourse for the subject. |
We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.
