Cultural Criticism

Course code: EAFILM01A58080 Semester: 2e semester Credits: 4 Theory (hours): 30,00 Professor(s): Walter Weyns Academic year: 2005-2006 Course Description Language of instruction : Nederlands Prerequisites No special competences required, apart from the capacity to read intellectually elaborated texts on a masters level. Objectives (expected learning outcomes) The capacity to thoughtfully take one¿s stand in an ongoing debate on cultural critical topics. Course content Criticism and critique are like the echo of culture. Wherever cultural products are being produced, they are judged, acclaimed, discarded. In this course an attempt is made to give insight in the relationship between culture and criticism. What motivates the critic? What sustains his judgment, other than his subjective opinion and taste? The course consists of two parts. In part One we study a few texts from the canon of cultural critique (a selection from Kant, Freud, Benjamin, Simmel, Gramsci, Adorno, Barthes, Gehlen, Gombrich, Baudrillard). Part Two consists of capita select: 1) popular culture vs. elite culture (cultural historical analysis), 2) the commodification of culture (marxist analysis), 3) hyperrationalization of culture, 4) the critical appropriation of cultural traditions (hermeneutical cultural critique); 5) culture as spectacle and amusement; 6) cultural critique in the film (vb. Jacques Tati); 7) Towards a post-culture? Teaching method  Lectures  Practical sessions  Exercices  Seminar   Excursions  Independent study  Training tutorials  Assignments  Case studies      Other: Assessment method  Examination    oral  written  oral + written preparation    open book  closed book      essay  short answer questions  multiple choice questions  Paper  presentation  Portfolio  Practical examination (skills)  Other: short paper with oral examination Compulsory reading – study material - Walter Weyns (2004), Het tijdperk van de maatschappij. Leuven: Acco. - Reader Recommended reading - study material nihil