SOC348L - Popular Culture

3 Credit(s)

Liberal Arts
This course explores diverse forms of contemporary American popular culture through rigorous reflection on the sociological, psychological, political, and economic dimensions of popular culture relative to individual biographies, gender, social class, ethnic, and peer-group subcultures. Main areas of study include film, music, TV, and advertising viewed as a “culture industry.” Major schools of thought on popular culture including the mainstream, conservative, postmodern, and critical standpoints are introduced. The critical standpoint centrally informs the course by viewing popular culture in the context of creating a more compassionate and just society.

Prerequisite(s): SOC 101L or permission of Instructor