CMAF 3020 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Folklore, Mass Media, Signify
2 Jan 2016
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Document Summary
Mapping the terrain of popular culture: key concepts & definitions. In order to grasp popular culture we need to think about the term culture itself first. Culture, has a wide and diverse range of meanings that cant simply be reduced down to one definition. Capital c culture is associated with elite types of popular culture (i. e. going to the ballet) Mass media tend to fall out side of these definitions. Mass media threatens to destroy culture in both of these senses. Complaints about globalized popular culture, that it threatens traditional ways of life (called the mcdonaldization) We also hear how popular culture is highly sexualized. When everything is about making money creative works of art are under mined. The culture part of popular culture is best understood through the culture lens (most useful for us) culture tasks and functions are to signify to produce meaning. Cultural texts cover a broad range of signifying practices.
