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 uide.html uide.html /journal/contents.htm /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 20 th and 21 st 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  Music  Television  Sports  Toys  Comic Books  Film  Advertising  Fashion  Magazines  Cyber culture

Issues in Popular Culture  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