Study+Guide+Questions

Study Guide IDS 3123

Y**ou need to attempt one question from EACH section. Write your answers just below each question.**
SECTION 1 (From Storey book and lecture): **﻿Russell Cantu** - "Folk Culture" was a romantic fantasy of the 19th century European middle-class intellectuals because they "invented" the concept of Folk Culture (the culture of the everyday 'common man'. The reason for the creation of the folk culture was to delineate the difference between the emerging middle-class and the working class. "Middle-class men and women began to demand stories and songs from the people from whom they had previously demanded only labor and respect." (Storey) Because of the rapid growth of industrialization and urbanization, there was a fear that the culture of the folk (working class) would dissapear without their (middle-class) intervention in perserving the ancient irrational beliefs and practices of the lower peasantry culture. By perserving folk culture, the middle-class could distinguish themselves (the enlightened and educated) from the working-class folk. 3. **Describe Matthew Arnold’s definitions of ‘culture’ and explain how these relate to class privilege.** **Heather Thomas-**Matthew Arnold describes 'culture' as, "the best which has been thought and said." In broader terms, culture is how we live in nature, including our own biology. (preface) Luis Echavarria : culture is the way we are taught, how to live, and in which only the best rituals and traditions have been passed on
 * 1) **Explain the evolution of ‘folk culture’ from emerging nationalism in European history. Paula Lyssy- "Folk culture is the very embodiment of the nature and character of a nations." Folk Culture started as the practices of rural workers that held symbolic meaning. In the 1800s the middle and upper classes started to reconnect with the culture of their ancestors that had become known as the ways of the lower class. Eventually, the middle class found it necessary to try to preserve their culture because they believed that the lower class could not be trusted. There was worry that urbanization and industrialization would destroy folk culture. **
 * 2) **How was ‘folk culture’ a romantic fantasy of the middle-class intellectuals in 19th century Europe?**
 * Vanessa Dorman - ** Folk culture was a romantic fantasy because it let the people hear stories of a perfect world where there were no problems and the world was in harmony. It was a great escape for people, just as stories are now. You can escape the worries and troubles happening in your life to dive into another story where everything seems fine. In some stories they helped heal wounds while others might have brought back a fond memory.

Amanda Flores - Matthew Arnold's definition of culture was limited to only "the best which has been thought and said." By this definition, culture is the high class aspects of life, and that it is not really necessary to study things that were accessible or practiced by the lower classes. 4. **Who were the British Leavisites and what did they see as ‘cultural crisis’ in the early part of the 20th century?** **﻿Heather Thomas-**In the 1930's British Leavisites were 'English literary intellectuals' that rearticulated Arnold's work. They claimed that Arnold's political work was the 'cultural crisis' of the 1930's. (pg 21)
 * 1) **What is ‘mass culture’ and when did this term surface in our history? *(Marisa Gloria)Mass Culture is what is favored by the popular group through the media. It was was influence and presented by both Europe and the United States.**
 * ~Gabriela Chavez~ Mass culture is widely disseminated via the mass media and becomes possible by modern communications and electronic media. It is actually transmitted to individuals rather than arising from their daily interactions. ﻿(Kasandra Martinez) Mass culture is how culture gets produced. **
 * In modern Russia mass culture is through mass media mainly through television. Mass media is used by people of success, family, and #|humanemotions. **

**Heather Thomas-** The rebellion of the masses had produced what Ortega y Gasset called, "hyperdemocracy." The hyperdemocratic rule of the masses, he calims, will paint the world a single shade of gray: "The mass crushes beneath it everything that is different, everything that is excellent, individual, qualified and select." (pg 25) (Vanessa Montelongo) Elliot means that in order for a culture to be transmitted, social class has lots of influence in the way it is maintained and passed on. He also mentions about the survival of culture, in which certain things are valued and are more appreciated. Sometimes some things are not accessible for regular people and the culture is no longer transmitted.
 * 1) **What is meant by Ortega and Gasset’s use of the term, “hyperdemocracy”?**
 * Ortega and Gasset's used the term "hyperdemocracy" to explain how the masses had been occupying places and instruments created expressively for the use of the few. The masses are transforming everything that is excellent and exclusive. In other words the masses or people with low culture now attend events or places and transform those events. the masses had lost their sense of subordination consequently, this new movement "The rebellion of the masses". Emma Noriega.**
 * 1) **What does TS Elliot mean when he said that the means for transmission of culture is the persistence of social classes? ﻿Melinda Moon: "He maintains that one of the important conditions for the herediatary transmission of culture is the persistence of social class. The class structure, class privilege and class inequality are "essintail conditions for the growth and for the survival of culture" (quoted by Storey, 26). Eliot also goes on to talk about of education and how it should help keep your class and select the elites. ﻿**
 * 1) **What is the culture industry?**//Jennifer Rios//--The culture industry "a means for fettering consciousness. It impedes the development of autonomous, independent individuals who judge and decide consciously for themselves". In other words the work of the cultural industry is to limit our thoughts and imagination, making it difficult to think for ourselves culturally and politically. Capitalism puts restrictions on our central desires....
 * 2) **How has the ‘culture industry’ depoliticized the working class?****  (Amy Pacheco)The culture industry has succeeded in depoliticizing the working class by dissociating people’s autonomy; in other words, to make a conscious decision for themselves. Capitalist Corporations have exploited and manipulated working class people into living an oppressive way of life. **
 * 3) **In which ways are the ‘right’ and the ‘left’ united in their understanding of popular culture?**

SECTION 2 (From the Grazian book and lectures)

> 1) __Culture that is “popular” is well liked and commercially successful__. An example of this definition of popular culture would be the success of the Harry Potter Series of Books, Films, DVDs, Merchandise and Tourism to locations and replicas of locations mentioned in the books such as Kings Crossing Station and the new Universal Studios theme park of Aragon Alley and Hogworths School of Magic. > 2) __Culture that refers to icons or media products that are globally ubiquitous and easily recognized the world over__. I’m not familiar with present day cultural icons, but I know that some of the most recognizable icons in sports were at one point Micheal Jordon, Tiger Woods and formula one racer Mario Andretti. The most successful Product examples of this definition would be the trade marked Coca Cola, Nike swirl and the goldern arches of McDonalds. A non-comercial icon is the United States Flag. > 3) __Culture that refers to commercial media pitched as mainsteam mass culture for general consumption by the masses__. An example of this type of popular culture would be television shows such as “Sponge Bob Square Pants” “Hanna Montana” “I Carly” or Movie and Film personalities like Miley Cirus or Justin Bebier. > 4) __Cuture associated with songs, dances and other folk expressions belong to the people under the guise of democratic populism and authnticity__. I guess the bands of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s best fit this last category of popular culture with groups such as The Beatles british spin on American Rock and Roll, as well as America Bands such as America, Journey, Chicago, The Eagles, Alabama, and the Dobbie Brothers Band.
 * 1) Describe the four definitions of popular culture and give an example of each (not from the book) **Russell Cantu** - The four definitions of popular culture are:
 * 1) **What makes pop culture ‘popular’?**
 * Vanessa Dorman - ** There are two things that are needed to make pop culture popular. First, it must be well known and well liked. It's got to This means it's got to sell well in the markets. Kids toys being sold out, movies making millions at the box office, TV shows holding actors, actresses and other people need to bring in large ratings. It needs to have the attention or funding of the people, good or bad.
 * 1) **What is a humanities definition of ‘culture’? Melinda Moon - In the humanities culture is defined as "the works and practices of intellectual and especially artistic activity," particularly those that lead toward "a general process of intellectual, spiritual and aesthetic development" (quoted by Grazian, 8). Examples: outward forms take place as: great novels and concertos, classical architecture and painting, opera, and poetry. Other forms include literature, music, philosophy and art history. **
 * 2) **What is a sociological definition of ‘culture’?** ***(Marisa Gloria) The sociological definition of culture "refers to a mode of living in the world as a social being, as represented by the practices, rituals,behaviors, activities, and artifacts that make up the experiences of everyday life."(Grazian, 2010)**
 * 3) **How is popular culture a ‘collective activity’? Cayla Skjoldal- Popular culture is a collective actvity because "popular cultural objects are produced my collaborative webs of interconnected individuals working together toward a common goal and eventually consumed and experienced by audiences who attached shared meanings to them"(Grazien, 11). **
 * 4) **What roles do government and the state play in the cultural production process?**
 * 5) **What role do consumers play in construction of popular culture? ﻿Kassy King- Consumers play a major role in constructing popular culture. If the consumers do not like a certain brand, image, toy, style, movie, etc.. then it will not become part of pop culture. **
 * 6) **What does the role of rituals play in the solidarity and cohesion of popular culture?(Vanessa Montelongo) The role of rituals in the solidarity and cohesion of popular culture, are how the symbols, rituals and practices surrounding its production and consumption can bring people together generating a shared sense of social solidarity. For example the world of sports entertainment, cities and regions are represented by team franchises that employ a range of symbols engineered to foster collective attachment.**

(LUIS ECHAVARRIA) Social inequalities are shown on hip hop videos which typically portray African American men as street thugs and black women as barely dressed objects of desire.
 * 1) **How is popular culture a resource for public reflection?** ** Amanda Flores - Popular culture in the form of celebrities is a resource for public reflection in that it allows people to have casual conversations about sensitive issues and not have to worry about embarrassing the people who are in stories. For example, it is common to talk about a celebrity who was caught cheating on their spouse at the office place or with friends, but most people would shy away from talking about a close friend who had been cheated on with others. **
 * 2) **What purpose do rituals of ‘rebellion’ serve in popular culture? Paula Lyssy- "Their ultimate purpose is actually to restore and solidify the tribal social order." Rituals of Rebellion are used as a way to show the differences in class level and how we view each other. It is a way of poking fun at another group or culture. **
 * 3) **How do Karl Marx’s ideas about society and culture undergird the critical approach to popular culture?**** (Amy Pacheco) Karl Marx identified the power and influence the ruling class had over the working class culture. He knew the ideas and social norms of society worked in the ruling classes favor to stay in control. His ideology reflects the Critical Approach, because he questioned the ruling classes authority and social inequalities it formed.  **
 * 4) **What is cultural hegemony? Give an example.**
 * Gabriela Chavez Cultural hegemony is how American culture﻿ overwhelms traditional cultures in other countries. It is originated by Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci. Example: people who leave their traditional food for the popular McDonalds or their traditional music or dances for the latest hip-hop music. ** **Cultural hegemony is a preponderant influence over the masses. Societies are control through the expansion of mass media, using clever advertisements to create consensus through the power of persuasion. One example: The "American Dream". If you live in Unites States you should own your house. Emma Noriega** ﻿**(Kasandra Martinez) Cultural hegemony is when a culturally-diverse society can be ruled or dominated by one of its social classes. It is the dominance of one social group over another;The theory claims that the ideas of the ruling class came to be seen as the norm. **
 * One of the most widely known examples of cultural hegemony was the efforts of evangelical Christian groups to dominate school boards in the 1990s and thus earn the power to dictate curriculum.This group wanted to eliminate the teaching of evolution from public school curricula. **
 * 1) **Name one of the ways that popular culture reproduces social inequalities? Give an example.**

**Yvonne Barriffe** **Popular culture exerts social control is over the "audience" via the mass media, which in itself controlled by the dominant power base of the social elite. The dominant power base do this by stratifying cultural experiences (ie opera, classical music, and Shakespeare). They maintain the status quo by exalting these experiences as superior, thereby inferring that if you have not, can not, or will not expose yourself to these cultural events you cannot be allowed "in." Therefore, they encourage and promote certain behaviors and experiences as popular culture which soothes, deceives and thus controls the masses. Leaving the masses self-deluded into believing that they have been accepted by the cultural elite.** **Examples** **a) Mark Ecko - designing HipHop fashions does not make it acceptable in "high" culture, it only maintains the stratification** **b) Body piercings and tattos have become much more commonplace, yet they are no more acceptable by "high" culture** //Jennifer Rios//--Instead of bringing attention to the power of advertising and mass marketing on the public opinion, the interaction approach acknowledges the smaller, weaker groups through word-of-mouth, social networks and social interaction within neighborhood settings and artistic subcultures. These, not so powerful groups are amongst friends, coworkers, acquaintances, or even friends of friends. Withinn these groups they create and build popculture (trends, fads and fahions) whether negative or positve. __**Jacqueline Melchor**__ **What is ‘mass culture’ and when did this term surface in our history? *(Marisa Gloria)Mass Culture is what is favored by the popular group through the media. It was was influence and presented by both Europe and the United States. ** In the book it explains how mass culture is the result from the influence of media, which sets a standard of values and beliefs for the mass population. An easier explanation would be it is a set of values and ideas the people get through exposure from the influence of the media. This term became recognized in the 19th century. **What makes pop culture ‘popular’? ** The media, radio, television, famous people make pop culture popular. Pop culture is created by media and internet etc. It is popular because the mass makes this pop culture that people don’t realize that they are driven to this by the mass media throughout any mainstream society. **How is popular culture a ‘collective activity’? ** Popular culture is a collective activity because it takes different directors, musicians, sound mixers which are different art worlds combined to become one for example to become one Britney Spears. She did not come up with every single one of her songs and made every single piece of it, she used different people for different things that had to be done not only for a song but for the CD cover and the video shoot etc. Everything is made with ones perspective then that’s when the other person can also relate to it and expand that thought. So basically it is a collective activity because of all the different collaborations.
 * 1) **How does popular culture exert social control on its audiences? What are some examples?**
 * 1) **What is the social self? How is this concept related to the interactive approach in popular culture?**
 * 2) **What are the central tenets of the interactive approach to popular culture?**