Folklore and Folklife - Courses - Spring 2006 - FOLK 137 401: Sociology of Media and Popular Culture

For more information about Folklore and Folklife,at UPenn, contact Professor Dan Ben-Amos at dbamos@sas.upenn.edu.

For assistance with the Folklore and Folklife website, contact Linda Lee at lindalee@sas.upenn.edu.

FOLK 137 401: Sociology of Media and Popular Culture

David Grazian
REGISTRAION REQUIRED FOR LEC, REC
GEN REQ III: ARTS AND LETTERS
Lecture: Tuesday, Thursday 11:00-12:00 p.m.
Cross-listed with: SOCI 137
Contact: dgrazian@soc.upenn.edu

This course relies on a variety of sociological perspectives to examine the role of mass media and popular culture in contemporary society, with particular emphasis on the organization of the media industry, the relationship between cultural consumption and social status, and the social significance of leisure activities from sports to shopping. Specific course topics will include the rise of TV tabloid talk shows; the marketing of Nike and Starbucks, the excessive media coverage of contemporary celebrities; the blurring of boundaries between news and entertainment; and the commercialization of the American blues.

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