Subcultural Studies (CULS40014)

This subject studies texts and events relating to various subcultural formations, including gangs, music subcultures, drug cultures, neo-pagans, sexed subcultures, bohemias, underworlds, body art cultures and virtual communities. The subject asks students to explore the ways identification can occur through the subcultural frame; to examine ways in which cultural forms can be contested or claimed by subcultures; and to read subcultures both textually and sociologically. On successful completion of the subject students should be able to analyse subcultural studies as an historically-framed discipline, beginning with late 19th century ethnographies and developing through the Chicago School and the Birmingham tradition to contemporary analyses.