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Sociology 135 The Sociology of Popular Culture
Next taught Fall 2007: Mariposa 1000 Tue/Thur 12-1:15 click here for a .pdf version of this syllabus. click here for a .pdf file of the essay guidelines readings and lecture notes on webCT The ideas of the ruling class are in every epoch the ruling ideas. Karl Marx, 1846 Not ideas, but material and ideal interests, directly govern men's conduct. Yet very frequently the 'world images' that have been created by 'ideas' have, like switchmen, determined the tracks along which action has been pushed by the dynamic of interest. Max Weber, 1915 The medium is the message. Marshall McLuhan, 1964
This upper division general education course will examine popular culture in all of its fascinating, seductive, addictive, and repulsive glory. The course will focus on some broad theories about the pruduction and function of popular culture in the context of society as a whole. The course will ask students to examine the world of music, television, movies, and culture in general with a critical eye from a theoretical point of view: questioning assumptions and thinking creatively about analysis and explanation. Students will be evaluated based on several paper assignments, quizzes, and written lecture responses. There are three required texts: the books are available at the Hornet Bookstore, and the online reader can be accessed from the link above. A copy of the reader and all texts will also be on reserve at University Library. Students are expected to keep up on the readings and come to lecture , where we will discuss the readings. There will be no exams. Instead, students will be given the opportunity to explore ideas and issues in a series of response papers: The emphasis of the course is on ideas.
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click here for a .pdf version of this syllabus.