Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
The module looks at the growing importance of celebrity in modern culture. From the Hollywood star system of the 1920s the module traces the changing perception of celebrity under a changing public gaze that demands that stars reveal everything about their lives. To this end, the module examines the changing representation of stardom, the notion of the 'aura' of stars, scandal and what is means to be (extra) ordinary, but also part of ordinary, everyday life.The most successful celebrities are also marketable franchises such as 'Brangelina' and the Beckhams. We look at the global processes behind the commoditisation of individuals, the hype and spin of the culture industry, celebrity worship, the notion of fandom and ask whether we are able to distinguish between fact and fiction anymore in the postmodern age? Finally, we look at the social and cultural implications of the significance attached to fame and success in the contemporary age, and ask whether, indeed, we can all be famous for 15 minutes?Key topicsThe star system and HollywoodCelebrity and the public sphereAndy Warhol and celebrityThe spectacle of celebrityCelebrity ScandalCelebrity GazeHype and SpinFandomThe End of Celebrity?
Aims
To encourage students to think about celebrity in a historical and cross-cultural setting.To extend students understanding of key concepts such as globalisation, commodity and the public sphere in relation to the study of celebrity.To enhance students ability to link socio-economic concepts and evidence within an interdisciplinary framework
Talis Aspire Reading ListAny reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/soc-30033/lists
Intended Learning Outcomes
Articulate and assess sociological and cultural perspectives of celebrity and how these have developed in a historical and cross cultural context: 1,2Creatively source and organise 'data' that illustrates a particular exemplar and relate this to developing conceptual knowledge: 1,2Evaluate the different factors shaping celebrity in a postmodern age: 1,2Employ concepts and theories to analyse celebrity beyond its original context: 1,2Communicate ideas, theories and knowledge about celebrity in written form: 1,2Apply central concepts in the literature to real world and real data exemplars: 1,2
20 contact hours (1 hour lecture: 1 hour tutorial)20 hours Wakelet capsule/asychronous seminar preparation110 hours assessment preparation, note taking and reading
Description of Module Assessment
1: Essay weighted 70%2500 word essay2500 word essay on title drawn from a list of 4 generic questions.
2: Poster Presentation weighted 30%Poster - 4 sides of A4 on a topic of students choicePoster - 4 sides of A4 - based on topic chosen by student that illustrates the exploration and integration of concepts and understanding of chosen key ideas and themes from the module