AMST 30514 - Popular Culture

Institution:

University of Notre Dame

Subject:

American Studies

Description:

The first half of the course will introduce a variety of theoretical perspectives, presented as a historical overview of popular cultural studies, both in the United States and Britain. The theories to be considered include: mass culture theory, Marxism, the Frankfurt Schools (Critical Theory), Structuralism, Semiotics, Feminism, and Post-Modernism. During this first half of the course, students will be required to write a paper in which they analyze an aspect of popular culture utilizing one or more of the theoretical perspectives. The second half of the course is devoted to a historical analysis, using the perspectives already addressed, of the social impact and meaning systems of rock 'n' roll music. The exegesis will begin with a study of African music, using recordings of chants and celebratory music, and will explore the music of American slaves, chain gangs, and spirituals, toward the goal of identifying elements exhibited by those genres that eventually evolved into rock 'n' roll. Students will be required to write a research paper on some aspect, personality, group, or historical development of rock 'n' roll. This course is not recommended for students who have taken SOC 451, as the content will overlap.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.nd.edu

Phone Number:

(574) 631-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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