5 page paper applying one or more of the Central concepts (theories) which include: semiotics, cultural economy, hegemony, commodity fetishism, the genre cycle, globalization, and the social construction of gender, race and class.
to analyze how a specific example of popular culture shapes the attitudes or values of its audience. What messages does it convey? What is important about it? How does it influence how we see ourselves, each other and our world?
The example could be a film, television show, magazine, video game, rock concert, celebrity, fictional character, theme park, holiday, fan community, brand-name consumer product, toy, sports event, social media site, or any specific element of popular culture (historical or contemporary).
The paper will include the following:
A thesis statement that identifies the selected example of popular culture and summarizes the values or attitudes it conveys.
A description of the social and cultural context of the example (who are the creators; the real or intended audience; what time period and location; what is conventional and what is new about the example).
An original argument using one or more of the course concepts to interpret the meanings or message of the example and explain how it might shape the values or attitudes of its audience.
Descriptions of details from the selected example used as evidence to support the interpretation of its meaning and the values it conveys.
Discussion and in-text citation of three relevant academic sources incorporated into the argument or description of social and cultural context.
A Works Cited section at the end of the paper with full citations for all sources used in the paper.
