Artists And Their Careers In A Sociological Frame

Timetable

Thursdays 13:15 - 14:45, Ogrody Campus, bldg. D, room 109

 

Module aim (aims)

The aim of this course is to take a closer look at the process of career making in the creative/cultural industries from a sociological stance. Participants of the course will learn basic concepts of qualitative sociology and sociology of artistic/creative professions. They will also acquire basic skills to analytically discuss the elements that frame careers in various creative/cultural industries. In addition to that, students will learn how to gather, find, synthesise and critically assess information about social problems and processes related to work dynamics in the creative/cultural industries.

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Good knowledge of English, ability to read and discuss research papers

Syllabus

This seminar will take the history of the sociology of occupations as the point of departure. Students will learn firstly (1) fundamental concepts and theories (i.e., art world, career, authenticity, creative industry, artistic identity), which constitute the basis for an adequate understanding of proposed readings (papers and book extracts) and efficient approach to the studied sociological sphere, here: social world of artistic professions. Secondly, students will get familiar with (2) sociological methodology that is useful for an efficient examination of artistic careers. Thirdly, based on proposed readings students will learn about (3) different types of careers that vary depending on artists specializations. The list of proposed topics for discussion is as follows:

1. Introduction to sociology of artistic and creative occupations

 

1. Art as collective activity. Howard Becker and ‘Art Worlds’

 

1. The literary field in Flaubert's time. Pierre Bourdieu and 'field' theory

 

1. What are artists playing at? Art as social performance

 

1. "I love my job". Creative precariat in creative/cultural industries

 

1. Whom we call an artist? Identity issues in arts

 

1. Doing gender in the Ballroom

 

1. Looking for authenticity in music: the case of jazz, blues and classical music

 

1. Between virtuoso and orchestra musician. Careers in classical music

 

1. Jana Shostak screaming for Bielarus. Art as politically engaged action

 

1. Art in digital era. An uncertain image of Hatsune Miku

 

1. Closing summary: who’s artist anyway

 

1. - 15. Tell us about your favorite artist. Students' presentations

 

Reading list

• Bain, A. (2005) Constructing an artistic identity. Work, employment and society 19(1): 25–46.
• Becker, H. S. (1982) Art Worlds. University of California Press.
• Bourdieu, P. (1988) Flaubert's point of view. Critical Inquiry 14(3): 539-562.
• Cameron, W. (1954) Sociological Notes on the Jam session. Social Forces 33: 177-182.
• Craig, I. (2007) Practicing poetry: a career without a job in: Calhoun, C. and R. Sennett (eds.) Practicing Culture, London and New York: Routledge, pp. 35-56.
• Gill, R. (2014) Unspeakable inequalities: Post feminism, entrepreneurial subjectivity, and the repudiation of sexism among cultural workers. Social Politics: International Studies in Gender, State and Society 21(4): 509–528.
• Hasse Jørgensen,S.M., Vitting-Seerup, S.& Wallevik, K. (2017) Hatsune Miku: an uncertain image. Digital Creativity 28:4, 318-331.
• Kowalczyk, B.M (2021) Transnational musicians. Precariousness, Ethnicity and Gender in the Creative Industry. Abingdon, Routledge.
• Leib, A., Bulman, R. (2009) The choreography of gender. Masculinity, feminity, and the complex dance of identity in the ballroom. Men and Masculinities.11(5): 602-621.
• McCormick, L. (2006) Music as Social Performance. In: Myth, Meaning, and Performance: Toward a New Cultural Sociology of the Arts, Eyerman, R., Lisa McCormick, L. (eds.) Boulder and London: Paradigm: 121-144.
• Ryan, J. (2011) Beale Street Blues? Tourism, Musical Labor, and the Fetishization of Poverty in Blues Discourse. Ethnomusicology 55(3): 473-503.
• Wagner, I. (2012) Transnational Careers in the Virtuoso World. [in:] Careers in Creative Industries, ed. C. Mathieu, Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 185-209.