Cultural Studies 2370

Monday & Wednesday 9:30 – 10:50

Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 – 10:50
 

What is Cultural Studies?

Cultural Studies is an approach to the study of culture and society which draws upon a variety of disciplines—e.g., History, Sociology, Psychology, Literature, Art, Media Studies, etc.—in order to examine the complex relations among and between human beings and the objects they create. Cultural Studies is designed to promote Ethical Reasoning and Critical Thinking skills.

Cultural Studies (CUST 2370) is a new course within the Dallas Community College District. The goal of this interdisciplinary course is to study human thought and relationships through a specific topic or theme. This course will examine the phenomenon of The Simpsons and its relationship to American culture.

 The Simpsons is currently in the midst of its fifteenth season on the Fox Television Network. The Simpsons now has the distinction of being the longest-running prime-time animated show in television history as well we the longest-running prime-time situation comedy, surpassing the current record holder, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, which ran for fourteen seasons (1952-1966).

 Such facts beg the question: why is The Simpsons so popular? The answers are of course numerous, for The Simpsons is truly unique, and its appeal is multi-faceted. Our goal here is not to explain the show’s popularity but to examine the methods by which it has maintained this. For our purposes, the most salient point is that the show is a sophisticated satire on American culture. We will examine the show within the context of television comedy, particularly in relation to the domestic family sitcom made popular in the 1950s. We will also explore how the show functions as a satire and, by examining the ideological implications of select episodes, investigate what the show is trying to say about life in the United States today.

 Required Texts:

The following materials are required for the course.

 ·         William Irwin, et al., eds. The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D’oh! Of Homer. Open Court, 2001.

This book is available at the campus bookstore. You can also order it online from Amazon.com

While you're at it, check out Leaving Springfield: The Simpsons and the Possibility of Oppositional Culture

·         The Simpsons and American Culture.*

* This is a photocopied packet of supplemental materials. It is available for purchase from University Readers. You can order online at http://www.universityreader.com/Merchant2 Please order your course packet ASAP to assure it arrives to you quickly. If you have questions about the ordering process, you can email the company at orders@universityreaders.com or call 1-800-200-3908.

 All episodes of The Simpsons will be shown in class.

Author: Matthew Henry
Last Modified on: 04/03/04
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