Pop Culture Minor

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The Minor in Popular Culture teaches methods for critically understanding popular literature, art, entertainment, social media, fashion, design, sports, music, performance, folklore, pastimes and rituals, and all forms of popular cultural expression encompassing the ways we live our everyday lives. Pop culture is an important source of ideological, moral, and political messages as well as aesthetic pleasure and recreation. Studying the forces that shape pop culture, and the ways we may respond and contribute to pop culture, gives vital insight into daily life, citizenship, and what it means to participate in society.

Studying pop culture offers the advantage of deep critical and historical understanding for those who may wish to work in entertainment media or advertising, as well as teachers who may wish to use popular culture in their classrooms. This minor defines popular culture broadly as a global, multicultural phenomenon that embraces not only industrialized mass culture (the texts, images, products, genres, and styles created or spread via mass media) but also cultural expression at the individual and grassroots levels, as well as folk culture and communal ways of life. Students in the minor learn to analyze popular texts, media, and pastimes critically—to understand and engage with related theories, and reflect on the connections between popular culture and identity.

The 18 unit Minor in Popular Culture Studies includes 3 required core courses (9 units) and 3 elective courses (9 units). Students select the 3 electives from an extensive list of courses offered by a variety of departments.

Required Core Courses (9 units):

  • ENGL 312 Literature and Film
  • ENGL 313 Studies in Popular Culture
  • ENGL 421 A-Z Selected Topics in Popular Culture

Many courses in the minor satisfy General Education requirements or may be used as electives or requirements in various majors. ENGL 421 A-Z may be taken twice for credit: once as a core course and once as an elective, provided the topics are different.