Popular Culture, Values, Identity, and Personal Engagement

Learning Activity 1: How Does Popular Culture Influence Your Life?

Getting Started

Many students begin their study of popular culture believing they are removed from its influences. However, after considering the pervasiveness of popular culture, most realize they are affected in some way(s). One way to explore how popular culture connects to your personal experience, values, and identity is to take time to think about challenging questions such as: Does popular culture change society’s values or does it reflect the values already present in society? Has popular culture changed your values or does it reflect the values you already have? (Are these really “either/or” questions?) Then, focus in on specifics. Think of a few popular culture expressions/artifacts that are part of your life. How has the social issue messaging conveyed by these artifacts/expressions connected with/influenced your personal values and identity? How do the resources included in this module inform and influence your thinking with regard to all of these questions?

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VIDEO: CLEAR EYES ON THE FULL HEART OF POP CULTURE (16:39)

Knox and Jamie deconstruct and discuss the simple and unexpected power of pop culture by considering how it challenges and connects us with one another.

Clear Eyes on the Full Heart of Pop Culture

TEDx Talks. (2017). Clear eyes on the full heart of pop culture [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8900xMZ4Mw

ARTICLE: ‘NO GHOSTS. NO GAY LOVE STORIES. NO NUDITY’: TALES OF FILM-MAKING IN CHINA

‘No Ghosts. No Gay Love Stories. No Nudity’: Tales of Film-Making in China

Sala, I. M. (2016, September 22). ‘No ghosts. No gay love stories. No nudity’: Tales of film-making in China. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/sep/22/tales-of-film-making-in-china-hollywood-hong-kong

VIDEO: THE SHARED WONDER OF FILM (13:12)

This TEDTalk describes the experience of an organization now known as Into Film that shows movies not considered child-friendly to children and then works with these children on improved literacy and critical thinking skills.

The Shared Wonder of Film

TEDSalon. (2012, May). The shared wonder of film [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/beeban_kidron_the_shared_wonder_of_film

ARTICLE: HOW STING, SPRINGSTEEN AND BILL JOEL HEALED AMERICA

How Sting, Springsteen and Billy Joel Healed America

Chermayeff, M. (2017, September 8). How Sting, Springsteen and Billy Joel healed America. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2017/04/27/entertainment/soundtracks-september-11-attacks/index.html