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Course Outlines

ANTH 2041 - Pop Anthropology: Music, Media & Material Culture

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

This course examines the central role that popular culture plays in people's everyday lives in diverse contexts around the world. It explores the impacts of industrialisation, globalisation and new technological developments on the production and consumption of fashion, music, film, fandom, art, and material culture. The course draws on examples like graffiti writing, tattooing and household decoration to consider how people use popular culture to form and express identities and relationships (e.g. what factors shape where people shop, the music that they listen to, their use of social media and how they modify their bodies?). In particular, the course considers how taste distinctions like 'low' and 'high' culture are shaped by social / cultural norms and values. It investigates how theorists from cultural studies, media studies and other disciplines have understood popular culture and highlights what anthropology contributes to this field.

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  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANTH 2041
    Course Pop Anthropology: Music, Media & Material Culture
    Coordinating Unit Anthropology and Development Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study
    Incompatible ANTH 2022 or ANTH 3022
    Assessment Workshop Portfolio, Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Group Charter/Project Plan, Fandom Group Project, Final Essay.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Johnny Karanicolas

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Understand theories and methods used in socio-cultural anthropology and apply this knowledge to contemporary examples in the fields of music, media and materialculture studies
    2 Evaluate central themes, propositions and concepts in the anthropology of popular culture demonstrating creative / critical thinking, and, problem solving skills
    3 Recognise the important role that social and cultural factors play in shaping people’s uses and understandings of music, media and material culture in diverses ettings around the world
    4 Display communication skills in both individual and group work, including the capacity to work in a team and to effectively use different media to convey ideas andinformation
    5 Navigate and use relevant digital technologies and forms of communication (i.e. ICT-based devices, software, video / power-point presentations, online quizzes, email)
    6 Illustrate digital information and media literacy by finding, evaluating, and, presenting digital information from both academic and other sources like social media
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    		 1, 2, 3

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    		 2

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    		 3

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    		 3,5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    		 1,2,3

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    		 N/A

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    		 4,5,6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    		 2,3,4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources