Cultural Formations of 1980s
Cultural Formations of the 1980s In this course we will investigate cultural formations of the United States during the 1980s through a critical examination of fiction, music, television, art, advertising, and film. We will connect texts produced during and about the period with social, political, and economic transformations that began with the so-called “Reagan Revolution.” Social issues concerning race, class, gender, and sexuality will be analyzed through topics including the Culture Wars, globalization and outsourcing, the ascendance of Wall Street, the rise of AIDS, attacks on the welfare state, the emergence of hiphop, and the War on Drugs
Cultural Formations of the 1980s In this course we will investigate cultural formations of the United States during the 1980s through a critical examination of fiction, music, television, art, advertising, and film. We will connect texts produced during and about the period with social, political, and economic transformations that began with the so-called “Reagan Revolution.” Social issues concerning race, class, gender, and sexuality will be analyzed through topics including the Culture Wars, globalization and outsourcing, the ascendance of Wall Street, the rise of AIDS, attacks on the welfar …Read more
This course was very interesting, learning about the culture and events of the 1980s. There are so many modern implications of events from the 80s. We examined the period very thoroughly and from many angles. We did this from many forms of media, utilizing primary sources such as Rambo II, MTV Videos, TV episodes, and other cultural artifacts. The material and structure of the class was very useful. I did think that the number and volume of pages required often lacked utility without a discussion section and often limited in-class time. At the beginning of the semester, I spent far more time on notes than I should've given the unnecessary amount. I would honestly have skimmed the readings looking back. The papers and primary source presentations did a good job of allowing students to demonstrate their understanding of the material. Also, there was lots of freedom: I didn't expect to be able to write a paper about gangsta rap, and yet I did. Professor Joo clearly has a deep understanding of the material and assisted with any questions. Although true, the lectures often lacked enthusiasm and often felt like they dragged on. I would not take the class again primarily because I think the material could have been explored in a more interesting manner but I don't regret taking it either.
This course was very interesting, learning about the culture and events of the 1980s. There are so many modern implications of events from the 80s. We examined the period very thoroughly and from many angles. We did this from many forms of media, utilizing primary sources such as Rambo II, MTV Videos, TV episodes, and other cultural …Read more
I took this course as a freshman, and it was a worthwhile course to integrate me into college writing. Papers were very fairly graded and came with thorough feedback, with rewrite opportunities provided. Only downside was lecture style. If you can't keep up with the readings, of which there are a lot, it is difficult to stay engaged in class.
I really loved this course as a freshman. I thought the class was interesting and relevant to learn about and hit on a variety of different aspects of the time period. Papers were fair and we even got to analyze some classic music videos!
This was my freshman seminar course, which I have mixed feelings about. I enjoyed most of the course material, which included topics ranging from Reagan to Hip Hop to the AID epidemic, and the War on Drugs. Overall, I found these topics interesting. However, Professor Joo wasn't always the most enthusiastic lecturer. The essays were graded fairly with amazing feedback. The course has readings, short write-ups, essays to write, and films to watch.
This was my freshman seminar course, which I have mixed feelings about. I enjoyed most of the course material, which included topics ranging from Reagan to Hip Hop to the AID epidemic, and the War on Drugs. Overall, I found these topics interesting. However, Professor Joo wasn't always the most enthusiastic lecturer. The essays were …Read more