Popular Culture Project

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What is Popular Culture?

Popular culture studies popular culture from a critical theory perspective. It is generally considered a combination of communication studies and cultural studies.

Barriers between so-called high and low culture have broken down, which encompasses such diverse media as comic books, television, mass media, and the Internet.

The theory of progressive evolution:

Capitalist economies create opportunities for every individual to participate in a culture which is fully democratized through mass education, expansion of leisure time and cheap entertainment, media and paperbacks. In this liberal view, popular culture (low culture) does not threaten high culture, but is an authentic expression of the needs of the people.

In groups of 2-3, please discuss ideas for the following. Use your notes to help you identify these terms.
  • Pop or Media Icons
  • Fads
  • Technology
  • Sports/Leisure Activities
  • Music
  • Fashion
  • Food or lifestyle
For the next few days, look for items or topics to add to your list. What's popular right now on television, film, books, media, technology, food, fashion, fads, sports, games, lifestyle, music, internet, etc. Make a huge list and bring this list to next class. You will be getting together in like-minded groups to complete a research presentation-based project.

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