Media and Popular Culture

How does popular culture connect us and how does it shape the way we think? Is popular culture only a negative force or can it have a positive impact on people? What are those impacts (may they be positive or negative)? More precisely, why do people consume popular culture? And what do they consume exactly? In other words, what is popular culture? What do people talk about when they talk about popular culture? More importantly, who controls it? Is it the fans, the cultural industries or both?

These questions will be at the center of our concerns as I will attempt, during this course, to challenge your perspective on popular culture in order for you to have a better understanding of the major functions served by popular culture in contemporary societies. At the end of this course, you will possess a set of theoretical and methodological tools you can use to analyze and evaluate forms of popular culture you consume in order to form your own informed judgment and opinion.

Note: Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.