Celebrity Cultures

Subject 106-409 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:	12.50
Level:	4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:	This subject is not offered in 2009.
Time Commitment:	Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week Total Time Commitment: 2 contact hours/week, 8 additional hours/week. Total of 10 hours per week.
Prerequisites:	Usually admission to the postgraduate certificate or diploma or fourth year honours in English, Cultural Studies or Gender Studies.
Corequisites:	None
Recommended Background Knowledge:	None
Non Allowed Subjects:	None
Core Participation Requirements:	For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry. It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Subject Overview:	This subject examines the phenomenon of modern media stardom. It focuses on how star images are produced, circulated and consumed, and what they reveal about cultural life in the 20th century and beyond. The subject will trace the historical evolution of modern stardom and explore the connections between different kinds of star texts. It will develop a wide-ranging reading of stardom as a dynamic element of contemporary culture that performs vital social functions and generates a variety of values and meanings. Students who successfully complete this subject will acquire a strong understanding of the histories, functions and effects of modern stardom and will be familiar with the competing ways stardom has been theorised within contemporary cultural studies.
Objectives:	have developed an understanding of the histories, functions, and effects of modern stardom; be familiar with a range of critical readings of and arguments about stardom in contemporary cultural studies; have acquired an appreciation for the diverse ways in which star figures and texts are used and interpreted; have a strong understanding of the intersections between stardom and social discourses of gender, sexuality, race, and class.
Assessment:	A research proposal of 500 words 10% (due mid-semester) and a 4500-word essay 90% (due at the end of the semester).
Prescribed Texts:	A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	and as a result of attendance at scheduled classes, participation in planned activities and discussion groups, and timely completion of essays and assignments, acquire Generic Skills in the following areas: social, ethical and cultural understanding of self and others; critical analysis and synthesis; effective written and oral communication; information management and information literacy; teamwork, flexibility and tolerance; time management and planning.
Notes:	Formerly available as 106-018 and 106-409 Stardom, Media, Culture. Students who have completed 106-018 or 106-409 Stardom, Media, Culture are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Related Course(s):	Bachelor of Arts (Honours)(Media and Communications) Master of Global Media Communication Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Media and Communication)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Cinema Studies Cinema Studies Cinema Studies Cultural Studies Cultural Studies Cultural Studies English English English Gender Studies Gender Studies Gender Studies

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