The Sociology of Popular Culture

Curriculum guideline

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Course
SOCI 2255
Discontinued
No
Course code
SOCI 2255
Descriptive
The Sociology of Popular Culture
Department
Sociology
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
201710
PLAR
No
Semester length
15
Max class size
35
Contact hours
Lecture: 4 hrs. per week/semester
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Learning activities

The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following:

  • Lecture
  • Small group exercises
  • Class discussion
  • Computer lab work
  • Audio-visual materials
  • Guest speakers
Course description
This course uses various sociological perspectives to analyze the role of popular culture in society. The course examines the development and social significance of various forms of popular culture in the context of recent theories and debates about the relationship of culture to society. Representations of race, class, gender, and sexuality in popular culture will be analyzed. The course will also examine the role of popular culture in the maintenance of social inequality as well as its utility as a medium for challenging inequality.
Course content
  1. Defining popular culture
  2. Culture and civilization
  3. Culturalism
  4. Marxist theory and popular culture
  5. Post-structuralism and popular culture
  6. Postmodernism and popular culture
  7. Feminist approaches to popular culture
  8. Representations of class in popular culture
  9. Representations of gender and sexuality in popular culture
  10. Representations of race in popular culture
  11. Popular culture and consumerism
Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:

  1. Define popular culture.
  2. Explain the difference between ‘high’ culture and ‘popular’ culture.
  3. Explain the social organization of popular culture.
  4. Summarize the sociological theories of popular culture.
  5. Compare various perspectives on issues of debate in the sociology of popular culture.
  6. Critically analyze conventional ideas about popular culture.
  7. Explain the role of popular culture in reinforcing social inequalities.
  8. Explain the role of popular culture in challenging social inequalities.
  9. Explain the relationship between forms of popular culture and consumerism in society.
Means of assessment

Evaluation will take place in accordance with Douglas College policy. Evaluation will be based on course objectives and may include quizzes, exams, critical essays, literature reviews, term/research projects, media analyses, oral presentations, or multi-media presentations.  The specific evaluation criteria will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the course.

 

An example of one evaluation scheme:

One mid-term exam  30%
One annotated bibliography       15%
One research project  25%
One final exam  30%
Total 100%
Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:

 

Examples of textbooks that may be used for this course include:

 

Storey, John (2009). Cultural Theory and Popular Culture. London: Pearson Longman.

Storey, John (ed.) (2009).  Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: A Reader.  London: Pearson Longman.

 

Kotarba, Joseph and Phillip Vannini (2009).  Understanding Society Through Popular Music. New York: Routledge.

 

Danesi, Marcel (2008). Popular Culture: Introductory Perspectives. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers Inc.

Pomerance, Murray and John Sakeris (eds.) (2008).  Popping Culture. Toronto: Pearson.

Guins, Raiford and Omayra Zaragoza Cruz (eds.) (2005).  Popular Culture: A Reader.  London: Sage.

Becker, Howard S. (1982).  Art Worlds.  Berkley: University of California Press.

 

Prerequisites

SOCI 1125 or SOCI 1145 or SOCI 1155