In this course, we will interrogate the ways in which we come to understand cultural representation and theories of social and political power within the field of American studies. We will analyze forms of representation using an array of theoretical and textual methods, from economic and class theories, to visual theory to feminist studies and critical race analysis, to theories of virtuality and freakery. We will engage with highly dense theoretical pieces as well as more popular cultural texts, such as film, documentaries, and websites. |