Pop Culture Terms
The segment of a culture that incorporates the activities of everyday life, including the consumption of consumer goods and the production/consumption of mass-produced entertainments.
Popular Culture
What is the Bechdel Test? Name three requirements that a film must contain to "pass" it.
A way to measure gender representation in films and other forms of fiction.
1. Must have two women
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something other than a man
In the Recess episode "The Economics of Recess”, the introduction of "Monstickers" as a form of currency transforms the playground into a microcosm of a capitalist society. Using Marxist theory, analyze how the episode critiques the class struggle and the commoditization of basic activities. Discuss how T.J.’s rise to power and subsequent alienation from his friends reflect Marx’s concepts of labor, capital, and social inequality. Provide at least one example from the episode to support your argument.
The introduction of Monstickers transforms previously free activities, like playing on the swings or lying on the grass, into commodities that require payment. T.J.'s journey from a penniless outsider to the wealthiest kid on the playground exemplifies Marx's concept of labor and capital. Initially, T.J. works tirelessly, performing manual labor to earn Monstickers. However, as he accumulates wealth, he transitions from laborer to capitalist, exploiting the system to amass even more Monstickers. This shift alienates him from his friends, as his focus on wealth supersedes his original goal of enjoying recess with them. A moment from the episode is when T.J. begins charging others for simply standing on the playground. This absurd escalation underscores the exploitative nature of unchecked capitalism, where even the most basic freedoms are monetized.
One of the main frameworks for interpreting popular culture is known as semiotics, which involves the study of various sign systems. Using the Mr. Potato Head assignment and/or the Mr. Potato Head toy itself, explain how Mr. Potato Head uses signs to transform a plastic potato into an identifiable character.
Mr. Potato Head transforms from a simple plastic potato into a recognizable character. In semiotic terms, the toy employs signifiers, in this case, physical features like eyes, a nose, a mouth, and accessories such as hats or glasses. These elements act as visual cues that signify human traits and personalities.
David Lynch directed this 1984 adaptation of a Frank Herbert novel that was also made into a film by Denis Villeneuve in 2021 and 2024.
Dune
A figure (often a celebrity) who enjoys a commanding or representative place in popular culture.
Icon
Define what is meant by the term "subculture" and provide an example.
A smaller group within a larger culture that has distinct beliefs, interests, or practices that set it apart from the mainstream culture
Examples: bikers, hippies, juggalos, skaters, goths
According to the essay “What Makes Superman So Darned American?” what are the elements that make the Man of Steel such an enduring Pop Culture icon? Why is the Clark Kent persona so important to the hero’s popularity? Why is Superman’s status as an immigrant and an orphan make him so American? Can you name another fictional Pop Culture icon that you believe similarly embodies “American ideals and values” for many people today. Explain your choice.
- Superman embodies the American myth of individualism and heroism. His story reflects core values like justice, fairness, and the pursuit of the greater good. The character's adaptability across various media—comics, TV, and film—has cemented his place in pop culture.
-The Clark Kent persona represents the "everyman"—a humble, relatable figure who hides extraordinary potential. This duality resonates with the American ideal that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve greatness.
-Superman's origin as an immigrant from Krypton and an orphan raised in Smallville mirrors the immigrant experience in America. His journey of assimilation and his commitment to American values highlight the nation's identity as a land of opportunity and reinvention.
In terms of Popular Culture Studies, what makes someone rise to the status of an Icon? Briefly explain what is meant by the term “Mythologizing Effect.” In 2023, Time magazine named singer Taylor Swift as its “Person of the Year.” Notwithstanding your own music preferences, briefly make a case for why Taylor Swift should be considered a Popular Culture Icon.
The "Mythologizing Effect" refers to the process by which someone is elevated to a near-mythical (or "god" like) status that makes them seem more than human.
Swift's designation as Time magazine's "Person of the Year" in 2023 underscores her status as a Popular Culture Icon. Swift's influence extends far beyond her music; she has become a symbol of artistry, resilience, and empowerment to many.
Examples: her immense fame, her record-breaking tours, etc.
This 1992 film was the prequel to David Lynch's 1990 television series.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
The products of the elite arts, including classical music, literature, drama, opera, painting, & sculpture.
High Culture
Define what is meant by the term “Archetype” and provide two (2) examples.
A recurring character type or plot pattern found in literature, mythology, and pop culture.
Examples: villain, hero, jock, mentor, everyman, princess
According to her essay "The Signs of Shopping," author Anne Norton claims that “the suburban shopping mall appears to be a public place, but in fact is not.” What does she mean by this?
Anne Norton argues that suburban shopping malls give the illusion of being public spaces, where people from all walks of life can gather freely. However, in reality, they are privately owned and controlled environments. This means that the owners of the mall dictate what activities are allowed, what stores are present, and even how people can behave within the space. For example, freedom of speech or protest, which are hallmarks of truly public spaces, may be restricted in malls.
In the excerpt you read from the book "Everything Bad Is Good For You: How Today's Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter," Steven Johnson writes, “The rise of the Internet has challenged our minds in three fundamental and related ways.” What are these three fundamental ways?
1. Participatory Culture: Unlike passive consumption, the Internet encourages active engagement, requiring users to create, share, and interact with content.
2. Multitasking and Information Management: The Internet demands the ability to navigate multiple streams of information simultaneously, honing skills in prioritization and synthesis.
3. Complex Problem-Solving: Online environments often present intricate systems that require exploration, decision-making, and adaptation, fostering cognitive growth.
David Lynch's final film, which shares its name with a region of California.
Inland Empire
Books or works that are considered essential to a literary tradition, as the plays of Shakespeare are part of the canon of English literature.
Canon
What is a genre? Name a genre and provide at least three (3) of its elements (i.e. its conventions and tropes).
A grouping or classification for works of art, literature, music, and other artistic forms.
Comedy: ironies, stereotypes, timing
Horror: final girl, twist ending, jump scares, dark atmosphere, supernatural occurrences
Sci-Fi: space, twist ending, ironies, exploration
Fantasy: magical elements, good vs. evil, imaginative world
In the SpongeBob SquarePants episode “I’m Your Biggest Fanatic” (season 2, episode 30b), SpongeBob’s admiration for Kevin the Sea Cucumber and his attempts to join the Jellyspotters highlight themes of social hierarchy and exclusivity. Using Pierre Bourdieu’s “Theory of Social Capital,” analyze how the episode portrays the accumulation and exchange of social capital within the Jellyspotters club. Discuss how SpongeBob’s actions reflect his desire to gain social recognition and how Kevin's behavior demonstrates the gatekeeping of social capital. Provide specific examples from the episode to support your analysis.
Social capital, as defined by Bourdieu, refers to the resources and benefits individuals gain through their social networks and relationships. In this episode, the Jellyspotters club represents an exclusive social group where membership is a form of social capital, granting prestige and recognition.
SpongeBob’s actions—his relentless admiration for Kevin and his eagerness to prove himself—reflect his desire to accumulate social capital by associating with the Jellyspotters. He believes that joining the club will elevate his social status and provide him with validation. His willingness to endure humiliation and perform tasks to impress Kevin underscores his aspiration to gain recognition and acceptance within this elite group.
Kevin's behavior embodies the gatekeeping aspect of social capital. As the leader of the Jellyspotters, Kevin wields the power to decide who can access the club’s social capital. He uses this authority to mock and exploit SpongeBob's enthusiasm, reinforcing the exclusivity of the group. Kevin's condescending attitude and manipulation of SpongeBob highlight the hierarchical dynamics within the club, where social capital is guarded and distributed selectively.
What is meant by the term “Dominant Culture” and what has been the dominant culture throughout most of American history? What is meant by the term “Subculture” and can you provide an example from contemporary society? What is meant by the term “Subcultural Capital?” What are some of the key elements of Subcultures? Subcultures, by definition, differentiate themselves from the larger mainstream culture.
Dominant Culture: This term refers to the cultural norms, values, and practices that are widely accepted and pervasive within a society. It often represents the majority or the group with the most power, influencing societal standards and institutions.
Subculture is a smaller group within a larger culture that has distinct beliefs, interests, or practices that set it apart from the mainstream
Subcultural Capital: This term describes the cultural knowledge, skills, and commodities that members of a subculture acquire to gain status and differentiate themselves from others. Knowing obscure bands in the punk subculture, or mastering specific gaming techniques in the gamer subculture can be forms of subcultural capital
Key elements: unique norms and values, Distinctive styles (such as fashion or music), shared interest, resistance to the mainstream
David Lynch's directorial debut, which has a protagonist with a distinctive hairstyle.
Eraserhead
The condition in which minority groups participate fully in the dominant society yet maintain their cultural differences. The smaller groups maintain their unique cultural identities/values/practices and are accepted by the wider culture.
Cultural Pluralism
How does Disney "appeal to nonconformists," according to Susan Willis in her article "Disney World: Public Use /Private State?" Why do you think Disney does this?
By giving them "negative consumer choices."
They do this to make money by selling stuff to people whom traditional Disney doesn't appeal to.
The Eerie, Indiana episode “Zombies in PJs,” (season 1, episode 17) depicts the use of subliminal advertising by a store called the World o’ Stuff as a satirical critique of consumer culture. Explain how the episode portrays shopping as a mindless and manipulative activity how the episode uses humor, exaggeration, and the theme of sleepwalking to comment on the ethics of advertising and the dangers of uncritical consumerism.
It satirizes the manipulative power of advertising and its effects on individuals. The plot centers on a store, the World o’ Stuff, which uses subliminal advertising to transform customers into sleepwalking "zombies," mindlessly purchasing items without conscious thought. This dramatized depiction highlights shopping as a manipulative activity, where consumer behavior is influenced without awareness or rational decision-making. Humor and exaggeration amplify the critique; the image of townspeople wandering the store in pajamas under the spell of subliminal messages is both comically absurd and unnervingly reflective of real-life consumer habits. The theme of sleepwalking serves as a metaphor for uncritical consumerism, illustrating how advertising can lull individuals into complacency and strip them of agency. Furthermore, the episode questions the morality of employing subliminal techniques, urging viewers to consider the ethical responsibilities of advertisers and the importance of informed consumer choices. Through humor, exaggeration, and clever storytelling, “Zombies in PJs” provokes thought about the dangers of unchecked consumerism and the manipulation inherent in advertising practices.
The Community episode “Remedial Chaos Theory” is often cited as the quintessential example of “postmodern television.” Analyze how the episode employs postmodern techniques such as self-referential humor, meta-narratives, and the deconstruction of traditional storytelling. Discuss how these elements challenge conventional television norms and contribute to the episode's exploration of identity, relationships, and chaos within the group.
-Self-Referential Humor
-Meta-Narratives
-Deconstruction of Traditional Storytelling
-Chaos and Humor
Exploration of Identity and Relationships: The alternate timelines reveal hidden aspects of the characters' personalities and relationships.
This David Lynch film tells the true story of a man who drove a riding lawn mower across four states to visit his brother.
The Straight Story