‘Culture’ is a complex term, whose meanings include: a tradition of revered works, an everyday identity, a whole way of life, a structure of feeling, or an ideal to defend or attain. Many conflicts turn on matters that are in one or more senses ‘cultural.’ Economic and political power and conflicts can also work through cultural struggles. This lecture course equips students with concepts that help us step outside of our own cultural bubble for a minute and perceive culture in a wider range of senses and in particular how it appears to others. We will look at contemporary struggles around race, culture, class, gender, sexualities through the prism of key texts and authors whose concepts address these questions. Students come away with an understanding of concepts and authors of use in all other CMS courses. Students must register for the lecture and discussion section (LCST 2121) of this course. [Tracks C & M]