Transcript W13 - Popular Culture

Popular Culture
What is It?
Is it Important?
What Does it Say About Us?
Pop Culture
“The serious, scholarly study of mass or
popular culture is a fairly recent
phenomenon, although sociologists
have long found the materials w/ which
Americans amuse themselves
fascinating for what they reflect about
the people and the world around them.
Pop culture serves as a mirror wherein
society can better see itself.”
What is It?
 Pop culture is the vernacular
(people’s) culture that prevails in any
given society.
The Unbelievable
 There are people who make a living
studying popular culture.
 Let’s look at the web sites
 http://www.wsu.edu/~amerstu/pop/tvrg
uide.html
 http://www.americanpopularculture.com
/journal/contents.htm
How is Pop Culture
Determined?
 By everyday interactions, needs and
desires, the cultural “moments” that
make up our everyday lives.
Who Influences Pop Culture?
 In modern society, pop culture is
influenced by the industries that
disseminate cultural material.
 Film, television, news media, music,
publishing, anime.
What Makes Pop Culture Unique?
 It is constantly changing
 It is specific to time and place
Pop Culture has Broad Appeal
 Appeal to a broad spectrum of the
public
 Is it because broad appeal items are
produced and sold by profit making
companies in an attempt to maximize
profits?
Is Pop Culture Superficial?
 Two schools of thought:
 Cultural items that require extensive
experience, training, or reflection to be
appreciated seldom become items of
popular culture.
 Others argue that pop culture is on the
cutting edge of culture- adopted by
cultural mavens – and then adopted by
the laggards in the mainstream.
Pop Culture is Serious Business
 Lots of people are making lots of money
studying and commenting on popular
culture.
 We will look at a website devoted to our
popular culture.
 Studies 20th and 21st century American
culture and history. Articles on rap
music, SARS and racial relations,
women’s self esteem via Real Women
Have Curves, etc.
Forms of Popular Culture
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Music
Television
Sports
Toys
Comic Books
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Film
Advertising
Fashion
Magazines
Cyber culture
Issues in Popular Culture
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Race
Ethnicity
Gender
Sexuality
Cultural Imperialism
Censorship
Assignment
 Pick one of the popular songs in the
hand out provided.
 What social issue is raised within that
song?
 What evidence is there that shows it’s
an issue?
 Write two paragraphs responding and
turn in