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Lecturer(s)
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Krásová Kateřina, Mgr. et Mgr.
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Sedláková Renáta, doc. Ph.D.
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Course content
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1. The anthropological concept of culture: Key terms (relativism, ethnocentrism), early definitions of culture and selected theoretical approaches (evolutionism, diffusionism, symbolic anthropology). 2. Levels of culture: An analysis of the relationships between mass culture, mid-culture and high art. 3. Critical theory and ideology: From Marxism to the Frankfurt School. 4. Culture and power: Poststructuralist perspectives (Althusser, Foucault). 5. Semiotics: An introduction to the study of signs and their meanings in culture. 6. The culture industry: Benjamin's concept of the work of art and the transformation of its reception. 7. The Birmingham School: Popular culture as a space for the negotiation of meanings. 8. Subcultures and countercultures: Culture as a process and a style of revolt. 9. Introduction to pragmatics: Analysis of the communication process.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Lecture, Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook), Group work
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Learning outcomes
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This course introduces students to the study of culture. In its broadest sense, the concept of culture refers to the specifically human way of organising and carrying out actions, as reflected in both material and intangible artefacts. The course combines two approaches to culture. In the first part of the semester, students are introduced to selected concepts from the field of cultural anthropology; in the second part, they are introduced to the approaches, themes, theories and key figures of cultural studies. Each topic is covered in a lecture and a seminar, with the latter focusing on discussion of assigned texts relating to the topic. During the seminars, students will evaluate academic literature on the topics in question, thereby deepening their understanding of the subject matter and honing their critical thinking skills. The course aims to develop students' ability to analyse various social phenomena, including new media, through the lens of cultural theories. The programme fosters the development of critical thinking, with an emphasis on reflecting on cultural, social and political processes in a changing society.
Analysis and categorisation: The ability to identify key differences between axiological and anthropological conceptions of culture and to classify theoretical schools on the basis of their methodological elements. Interpretation of phenomena: The ability to interpret brief descriptions of cultural phenomena using appropriate specialist terminology. Critical inquiry (Inquiry and Analysis): The ability to examine texts with an independent perspective, to identify relationships between ideas and to link them to the broader context of the discipline. Knowledge transfer: The ability to adapt and apply the theories and methodologies learnt to new situations and when solving specific analytical problems. Perspective-taking: The ability to identify and explain multiple perspectives (cultural, disciplinary and ethical) when examining human systems.
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Prerequisites
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Physical attendance does not automatically mean that the requirements have been met; if a student is unprepared, alternative work may be set. Obtaining a credit is a prerequisite for admission to the examination. Students should bring the assigned texts in printed form to lessons to make it easier to work with them.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Written exam, Student performance
Two absences are permitted on this course. Students must arrange individually with the lecturer during the semester how to make up for more than two absences (regardless of the reason). The course concludes with a credit assessment and an examination. Students earn the credit through their ongoing work during the semester. Students contribute to the content of selected lessons by presenting a case study of their own choosing. A prerequisite for successfully completing the course is preparation for each session (familiarity with the assigned text) and active discussion of the topic during the seminar part of the lesson. Preparedness may be checked at random by means of a short test at the start of the seminar part of the session. Students must bring the assigned text with them to each session, preferably in printed form. The course reading list is selected to ensure that the materials are widely available and that students can obtain them from the library. Physical attendance at a lesson does not automatically mean that the requirements have been met - if a student is unprepared, the lecturer may assign alternative preparatory work, as in the case of physical absence. Completion of such an assignment is compulsory for the student. The requirements for obtaining a credit must be met by the end of the teaching period in the credit week. A student who has not met the requirements for obtaining a credit may not sit the examination. The examination will take place during the examination period in the oral form. It will cover material from the compulsory texts, lectures and presentations. The examination also assesses the student's ability to reflect independently on a cultural artefact, drawing on the knowledge acquired and the correct use of terminology. If a student has failed the course and has re-enrolled on it, they must once again fulfil the conditions set for obtaining the credit and passing the examination (unless otherwise agreed with the lecturer at the start of the semester).
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Recommended literature
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ADORNO, Theodor W. a HORKHEIMER, Max. (2009). Dialektika osvícenství: filosofické fragmenty. Praha.
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BARTHES, Roland. (2004). Mytologie. Praha.
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BENNETT, Tony a MERCER, Colin. (1986). Popular culture and social relations.
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ECO, Umberto. (2006). Skeptikové a těšitelé. Praha.
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EDWARDS, Tim (ed.). (2010). Kulturální teorie: klasické a současné přístupy. Praha.
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EDWARDS, Tim (ed.). (2010). Kulturální teorie: klasické a současné přístupy. Praha.
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ERIKSEN, Thomas Hylland. (2008). Sociální a kulturní antropologie: příbuzenství, národnostní příslušnost, rituál. Praha.
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FISKE, John. (2017). Jak rozumět populární kultuře. Praha.
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FOUCAULT, Michel. (1999). Dějiny sexuality. 1. díl, Vůle k vědění. Praha.
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GVOŽDIAK, Vít. Gesture, ostension, and relevance: pragmatics of semantic gesture. 2024.
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HEBDIGE, Dick. Subkultura a styl. Praha. 2012.
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HIRSCHOVÁ, Milada. (2022). Pragmatika v češtině. Praha.
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KOLÁŘOVÁ, Marta (ed.). (2011). Revolta stylem: hudební subkultury mládeže v České republice. Praha.
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KOŘENSKÝ, Jan; HOFFMANNOVÁ, Jana a MÜLLEROVÁ, Olga. (2013). nalýza komunikačního procesu a textu: učební text pro výběrové semináře filologických oborů. Olomouc.
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MACDONALD, Dwight. (2011). Masscult and midcult. New York.
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MCQUAIL, Denis. (2009). Úvod do teorie masové komunikace. Praha.
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MURPHY, Robert F. (2004). Úvod do kulturní a sociální antropologie. Praha.
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SAID, Edward W. (2008). Orientalismus: západní koncepce Orientu. Praha.
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SEDLÁKOVÁ, Renáta. (2014). Výzkum médií: nejužívanější metody a techniky. Praha.
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SOUKUP, Václav. Antropologie: teorie člověka a kultury. Praha. 2011.
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SOUKUP, Václav. (2004). Přehled antropologických teorií kultury. Praha.
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STOREY, John. (2021). Cultural theory and popular culture: an introduction. London.
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SVANTNER, Martin a GVOŽDIAK, Vít. (2017). How to Make Our Signs Clear.
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ŠVAŘÍČEK, Roman a ŠEĎOVÁ, Klára. (2014). Kvalitativní výzkum v pedagogických vědách. Praha.
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