Introduction to Cultural Theory
Dr Aimie Purser and Dr Amal Treacher Kabesh
20 credits
Semester 1
Essay (2000 word) and Exam (1 hour)
Summary of Content:
This module is focused on the conceptual issues that are at stake
when we seek to study culture.
The module takes in a range of key theories and theorists from the
Cultural Studies tradition, as well as attending to themes and
problematics that are at the forefront of contemporary cultural
theorising.
Lecture Topics include:
 Textuality;
 Psychoanalytic Theory;
 Identity/Performativity;
 Post-Colonial Theory;
 Emotions;
 Queer Theory;
 Senses;
 Mourning and Memory Politics.
Some Books from the Reading List:
The uses of cultural studies: a
textbook - McRobbie, Angela, 2005
Cultural theory and popular culture:
an introduction - Storey, John, 2012
Representation: cultural
representation and signifying
practices - Hall, Stuart, Evans,
Jessica, Nixon, Sean, 2013
Colonial desire: hybridity in theory,
culture and race - Young, Robert,
1995
Culture & imperialism - Said,
Edward W., 1994, 1993
Queer cinema: schoolgirls, vampires
and gay cowboys - Mennel, Barbara
Caroline, 2012
The signs of James Bond: semiotic
explorations in the world of 007 Ferreras Savoye, Daniel, 2013
A Critical Introduction to Queer
Theory - Nikki Sullivan, October 1,
2003
Freud's theory and its use in literary
and cultural studies: an introduction
- Berg, Henk de, 2003
Gender & sexuality: critical theories,
critical thinkers - Beasley, Chris,
2005
Horror film and psychoanalysis:
Freud's worst nightmare Schneider, Steven Jay, 2004
The cultural politics of emotion Ahmed, Sara, 2004
Female masculinity - Halberstam,
Judith, 1998
Sensual relations: engaging the
senses in culture and social theory Howes, David, 2003
Gender trouble: feminism and the
subversion of identity - Butler,
Judith, 2006
Cultural memory and the
construction of identity - Ben-Amos,
Dan, Weissberg, Liliane, 1999
Postcolonial masculinities:
emotions, histories and ethics Treacher Kabesh, Amal, 2013
Collected memories: Holocaust
history and postwar testimony Browning, Christopher R., 2000
The black Atlantic: modernity and
double consciousness - Gilroy, Paul,
1993
Precarious life: the powers of
mourning and violence – Butler,
Judith, 2003