Sociology 229: Cultural Production
Fall 2009
1:10-2:00 pm M, W, F
The Sociology of Culture is meaningfully divided into production and consumption. This course will focus on the production of culture, specifically the role of artists, firms and markets in creating cultural objects, ideas, and practices. Additionally, much of the course texts will focus on the role of gatekeepers, market research in creating identity, and boundaries around consumer groups, and opportunities for cultural change in the productive realm. We will begin the class with a general overview of the features of cultural organizations, cultural fields, and the social contexts that impact both. We will then examine decision-making processes, and career trajectories of cultural workers. We will finally examine the curatorial work of culture workers, and several topics I’ve combined under the heading “collaboration and controversy.” There are three monographs paced at intervals throughout the semester, in which we can see the many topics in the class combined in the study of a single cultural object—these include luxury hotels, kitchens and television talk shows. The class is designed as an advanced undergraduate seminar.
