The course has two main aims. First, it will investigate the significant transformations taking place in the sphere of cultural consumption and production in the context of globalization. In doing so, the course will go beyond an assessment of the consequences and repercussions of intensified cultural transfers that have occurred as a result of globalization, and consider the more serious and as yet under-explored transformations of the very character of the cultural sphere. Second, it will consider the links between various cultural practices and democracy, and consider the implications of the contemporary transformations of the cultural sphere for democratic futures on both the local and global levels.



The course will consider these issues in both their contemporary manifestations and in historical perspective. Issues to be addressed include: cultural transnationalism, the politics of culture in the periphery, the politics of popular culture, contemporary visual culture, anti-Americanism, and cultural democracy.



This course is designed for faculty and students with research and teaching interests in the effects of globalization on cultures around the world. Participants should have some previous background in cultural studies, critical theory, political theory, globalization studies and/or cultural policy studies.