For this assignment you will provide a detailed discussion of a theory of pop culture and provide critical discussion of this theory. The purpose of this assignment is to help you hone your critical thinking skills. You will provide exposition and criticism of a theory of pop culture. You may choose either Mass Cultural Theory or Critical Theory.
Your essay should include some discussion of the following questions:
1. What or who determines popular culture? Where does popular culture come from? Does it emerge from the people themselves as an autonomous expression of their interests and modes of experience, or is it imposed from above by those in positions of power as a type of social control?
2. Describe how commercialization and industrialization influences popular culture. Does reducing culture to commodity mean that the criteria of profitability and marketability take precedence over quality, artistry, integrity and intellectual challenge? Or does it result in a universal market where what is popular actually corresponds to what people want and think is valuable? Does marketability and profitability actually produce quality art or does it only benefit business interests?
3. Is popular culture used to control and indoctrinate the people? Is it used to get people to accept and adhere to ideas and values which will ensure the continued dominance of a particular elite and allow them to exercise power over them? Or is popular culture about rebellion and opposition to the prevailing social order? Is pop cultural a spontaneous genuine burst of creativity or is it just a means through which a dominate group exercises control of society?
4. After you provide an accurate account of one of these theories of pop culture, you should then review the strengths and weaknesses of the theory. Can you identify some objections to the theory? You can research objections, but you need to consult reputable sources.
Specifications:
Submit a 1000-1200 word essay addressing the questions above.
In your essay:
Be sure to structure your essay with an introduction paragraph that includes a thesis statement, well-organized supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion that reiterates the main points of your argument.
Your argument should be supported by reputable research cited in APA format both in the body of the paper and in your references section.
Use the Herzing Library to search for scholarly research sources.
Estimated time to complete: 3 hours
Rubric
Unit 2 Assessment – Theories of Popular Culture
Unit 2 Assessment – Theories of Popular Culture
Criteria
Ratings
Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTopic
10.0 pts5
Identifies a creative, focused, and manageable topic clearly addressing important points.
9.0 pts4
Identifies a manageable topic that addresses important points.
8.0 pts3
Identifies a focused topic that addresses important points.
7.0 pts2
Identifies a topic that while doable, is too narrowly focused.
6.0 pts1
Identifies a topic that is far too general and wide-ranging as to be doable.
0.0 pts0
Does not clearly identify a topic or identifies a topic that is not relevant to the assignment.
10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeExisting Knowledge, Research, and/or Views
15.0 pts5
Uses in-depth information from relevant sources representing multiple points of views (3 or more) or research aspects (3 or more).
14.0 pts4
Describes in-depth information from relevant sources representing at least two points of view or research aspects.
12.0 pts3
Explains information from relevant sources representing at least two points of view or research aspects.
11.0 pts2
Relates information from relevant and irrelevant sources. No clear point of view(s) of approach(s) are identified.
9.0 pts1
Tells information from irrelevant sources representing a single point of view or does not identify points of view or approaches
0.0 pts0
Information is irrelevant to the topic. No clear point of view/approaches.
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContentHU340-CO1
15.0 pts5
Demonstrates the ability to construct a clear and insightful problem statement/thesis statement/topic statement with evidence of all relevant contextual factors.
14.0 pts4
Demonstrates the ability to construct a problem statement, thesis statement/topic statement with evidence of most relevant contextual factors, and problem statement is adequately detailed
12.0 pts3
Begins to demonstrate the ability to construct a problem statement/thesis statement/topic statement with evidence of most relevant contextual factors, but problem statement is superficial.
11.0 pts2
Demonstrates a limited ability in identifying a problem statement/thesis statement/topic statement or related contextual factors.
9.0 pts1
Demonstrates the ability to explain contextual facts but does not provide a defined statement.
0.0 pts0
There is no evidence of a defined statement.
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAnalysis
15.0 pts5
Organizes and compares evidence to reveal insightful patterns, differences, or similarities related to focus.
14.0 pts4
Organizes and interprets evidence to reveal patterns, differences, or similarities related to focus.
12.0 pts3
Organizes and describes evidence according to patterns, differences, or similarities related to focus.
11.0 pts2
Organizes evidence, but the organization is not effective in revealing patterns, differences, or similarities.
9.0 pts1
Describes evidence, but it is not organized and/ or is unrelated to focus.
0.0 pts0
Lists evidence, but it is not organized and/ or is unrelated to focus.
15.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusion
10.0 pts5
Assembles a conclusion that is a logical interpretation from findings.
9.0 pts4
Constructs a conclusion that is logical from inquiry findings.
8.0 pts3
Identifies a conclusion specifically from and responds specifically to the findings.
7.0 pts2
Produces a general conclusion that, because it is so general, also applies beyond the scope of the inquiry findings.
6.0 pts1
States an ambiguous or unsupportable conclusion from findings.
0.0 pts0
States an illogical conclusion from findings.
10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLimitations and Implications
5.0 pts5
Insightfully discusses in detail relevant and supported limitations and implications.
4.0 pts4
Examines relevant and supported limitations and implications.
3.0 pts3
Discusses relevant and supported limitations and implications.
2.0 pts2
Presents relevant and supported limitations and implications.
1.0 pts1
Presents limitations and implications, but they are unsupported.
0.0 pts0
Presents limitations and implications, but they are irrelevant.
5.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting
10.0 pts5
The paper exhibits a excellent command of written English language conventions. The paper has no errors in mechanics, grammar, or spelling.
9.0 pts4
The paper exhibits a good command of written English language conventions. The paper has no errors in mechanics, or spelling with minor grammatical errors that impair the flow of communication.
8.0 pts3
The paper exhibits a basic command of written English language conventions. The paper has minor errors in mechanics, grammar, or spelling that impact the flow of communication.
7.0 pts2
The paper exhibits a limited command of written English language conventions. The paper has frequent errors in mechanics, grammar, or spelling that impede the flow of communication.
6.0 pts1
The paper exhibits little command of written English language conventions. The paper has errors in mechanics, grammar, or spelling that cause the reader to stop and reread parts of the writing to discern meaning.
0.0 pts0
The paper does not demonstrate command of written English language conventions. The paper has multiple errors in mechanics, grammar, or spelling that cause the reader difficulty discerning the meaning.
10.0 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPAPRICE-I
5.0 pts5
The required APA elements are all included with correct formatting, including in-text citations and references.
4.0 pts4
The required APA elements are all included with minor formatting errors, including in-text citations and references.
3.0 pts3
The required APA elements are all included with multiple formatting errors, including in-text citations and references.
2.0 pts2
The required APA elements are not all included. AND/OR there are major formatting errors, including in-text citations and references.
1.0 pts1
Several APA elements are missing. The errors in formatting demonstrate limited understanding of APA guidelines, in-text-citations, and references.
0.0 pts0
There is little to no evidence of APA formatting. AND/OR there are no in-text citations AND/OR references.
5.0 pts
Total Points: 85.0
Herzing University Theories of Popular Culture Discussion