124268 AR Cultural/Media Studies 1/2 (AR) (2023W)

Whilst chronic illnesses are the major health conditions of our era, they are seldom directly addressed in public. This invisibility does not only influence individual health but also has considerable socio-cultural and political consequences. As cultural studies scholars, we can gain insight into the everyday practices of chronically ill as well as into the variety of discourses and narratives that impact them; we can also take into consideration various representational practices developed in these contexts and spotlight their discriminatory potentials. We can also suggest ways of counteracting such tendencies and improving health literacy.
Taking into consideration a variety of contemporary materials, we will attempt to offer a novel way of representing (showing and talking) chronic illnesses. On the basis of theoretical readings and after detailed research overview, students will be engaged in group projects that will culminate in a pop-up exhibition.

At the end of term, students will have:
- familiarized themselves with and have practiced the use of select cultural studies' concepts
- analyzed a spectrum of media texts
- offered critical reflection on representations of health and illness
- practiced constructing careful arguments to make their points in the appropriate language and in a suitable format. The class will be based on teacher's input and students' prior reading, which will enable engaged discussions, either in small groups or in a larger forum.