A new course being offered by the Department of Cultural Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University this fall invites students to look beyond the glamour of the global music and cultural phenomenon K-Pop (short for Korean popular music) and deep dive into Korean pop-culture through a critical, interdisciplinary lens.
Led by instructor Leah Hu, CULS3311 Special Topics: Popular Culture K-Pop will examine K-Pop as a cultural phenomenon shaped by global capitalism, media industries, gender dynamics, labour practices, and international cultural exchange. Drawing on perspectives from history, cultural studies, media studies and ethnography, students will investigate topics ranging from the influences on American imperialism to the rise of the Korean Wave across multiple industries.
Students will engage with issues that affect the K-Pop industry including orientalism and cultural stereotypes, digital fandoms, gender representation, labor rights in the idol industry, and the global impact of artists such as BTS and NewJeans. The course will also explore the social and economic themes in Korean films and dramas, such as the Academy Award winning Parasite.
There’s still time to register!
No prior knowledge of Korean language or popular culture is required. While the calendar lists five units of Cultural Studies as a prerequisite, students with experience in writing-based courses in other subjects may be eligible for the course. Interested students who don’t meet the calendar prerequisites should contact Leah Hu for permission to register for the Fall Term (Leah.Hu1@msvu.ca). All others can register now via myMount (log-in required). Depending on student interest, the course may also be offered in the Winter Term.
The course will run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. on campus.