CAS IP 402: British Youth Culture from 1950 to the Present
Course Objectives
Students will become familiar with the key historical developments and sociological themes within British youth culture. In addition they should:
• Grasp the commercial and social patterns that turn ‘street’ styles into mass phenomena.
• Understand the economic value of the creative industries and strategies for developing them in the global market.
• Reach a deeper understanding of British culture and identity, and its close relationship with that of the United States.
Course materials are listed below. Please log in to view these items.
Course Comments
"I've loved this class. It was very hands on and pertinent to my stay in London. I related a lot of what we learned to real life and to places I've seen in London. Professor Weight was excellent. Very interesting/ interested in us." Anon., Spring 2009
"Great class, teacher was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about teaching!" Anon., Spring 2009
"I really enjoyed the professor's teaching method and I loved this course! I think it should be a requirement for all students studying in London to understand the youth culture in London in general." Anon., Spring 2009
Faculty Information
Dr. Richard Weight is a social historian and broadcaster and the author of several books, including Patriots: National Identity in Britain 1940-2000 (Macmillan, 2002) and The A-Z Guide to Modern Britain (Random House, 2003). He writes and presents documentaries for the BBC, is a contributor to The Times, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and of the Royal Society of Arts. He lectures in Europe and Africa for the British Council and acts as a consultant to several organisations, including the Institute for Public Policy Research. He is currently writing a history of British youth culture, to be published in Britain and America by Random House.
Course Syllabus and Materials
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Return to main course page (Fall/Spring or Summer).
Hyperlinked readings:
Wintour, P. & Dodd, V. (2007) "Blair blames spate of murders on black culture", The Guardian, 12 April 2007. Available at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2007/apr/12/ukcrime.race
Benthan, M. (2008) "Youth crime convictions rise by a fifth in one year", The Evening Standard, 28 January 2008. Available at: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23434463-youth-crime-convictions-rise-by-a-fifth-in-one-year.do
Campbell, B. (2007) "It's a guy thing", The Guardian, 13 April 2007. Available at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2007/apr/13/itsaguything
Smith, R. & Macleod, R. & Buyum, M. (2007) "Letters : Blair's response to knife and gun crime", The Guardian, 13 April 2007. Available at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/apr/13/penal.crime
Sandall, R. (2007) "Off the record", Prospect, August 2007. Available at: http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/2007/08/offtherecord/
Mayer, C. (2008) "Britain's mean streets", Time, 26 March 2008. Available at: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1725547,00.html