Examines the TV programme ‘It’s a Sin’ and how it reinforces and/or challenges
dynamics in world politics.
The presentation should last 15 minutes with a further 5 minutes at the end for any questions.
A convincing analysis of popular culture needs to avoid vague generalisations and be as specific as possible about what is being studied, why it is important, and how it should be analysed. Be specific in the practices/texts that you analyse. Of course, out of your specific analysis may arise some general points and themes but avoid skipping to these general themes before a sufficient analysis of a specific text or lived culture.
Key Steps
1. Think about how the show relates to world politics– think about what dynamics you want to look at
2. What theories/conceptual tools might be useful to help you to explain this relationship?
3. How can you study this relationship (methods)?
4. Choose a sample and conduct a study using relevant theories, conceptual/analytical and methodological tools
5. Make an argument about how the show can reinforce or challenge dynamics in world politics (ideas, identities, practices, relations,inclusions/exclusions)
6. Write your presentation, including the argument in the introduction, and use points in your presentation (and examples) to back this up
There are a number of key features to include:
Very brief contextualisation of the popular culture form you are looking at, partly throughthe wider scholarly literature. How can it be defined a form of popular culture? What is specific/special about this form of popular culture? How does your analysis fit into the work of other scholars? Do you agree/disagree with what others have said before?
A clear and interesting argument about how the example you have chosen can reinforce or challenge dynamics in world politics – make clear what these dynamics are (ideas, identities, relations, practices). Use of relevant examples to back up these points.
Intelligent use of theories, analytical tools and methods. Theory and methods are important: a simple analysis of a popular cultural example without any theory/methods is not enough.
How well have you communicated your subject to your audience? Think about keypresenting skills: pace, fluency, tone, structure and timing.
Use of visual aids (images, video, PowerPoint, etc.), which can enhance your presentation and help you communicate with your audience. Think about the balance between text and images, try not to overburden your audience with text.
Make sure that you include in-text references and a list of citations in your PowerPoint.
In only 15 minutes, you will need to be selective and judicious with regard to what you can include.
Responses to questions: anticipate questions and come up with thoughtfull and intelligent responses.