Week 3: Pop Culture and Society

The key points on the importance of understanding the impact of pop culture on society 

1. Shaping societal norms and values: Pop culture can greatly influence societal norms and values, as well as shape attitudes towards various issues. It can impact what people consider fashionable, desirable, or acceptable in their communities.

2. Reflecting cultural trends: Pop culture often reflects the cultural and social trends of a particular time period, offering insights into the collective psyche of society. Understanding pop culture can help us to better understand the society and culture of a particular time.

3. Influencing social and political movements: Pop culture can also play a significant role in inspiring and promoting social and political movements. Popular music, film, and television shows can spark debates and conversations about important societal issues, and can also be used to raise awareness and promote change.

4. Shaping individual attitudes and beliefs: Pop culture can greatly influence the attitudes and beliefs of individuals, particularly those who are more vulnerable or impressionable, such as young people. Understanding the impact of pop culture on individuals can help us to better understand how people form their beliefs and opinions.

5. Understanding the role of media: Understanding pop culture is also important for understanding the role of mass media in shaping and promoting popular culture. It allows us to analyze the ways in which media companies and advertisers use popular culture to influence consumer behavior and promote certain products or ideas.

Activity Title: Understanding the Impact of Pop Culture on Society

Objectives:

• Analyse the impact of pop culture on society, including its influence on fashion, music, and entertainment

• Evaluate the role of pop culture in shaping societal norms and values

• Discuss the impact of pop culture on social and political movements

Procedure:

Pop Culture and Society (20 minutes)Get into small groups of 4 students and list 5-6 examples of pop culture (e.g., music, movies, TV shows, fashion, etc.). Then, analyse the impact of these examples on society, including its influence on fashion, music, and entertainment.

Shaping Societal Norms and Values (20 minutes): Ask each group to evaluate the role of pop culture in shaping societal norms and values. Here are some examples to help get started, such as how a popular TV show can influence attitudes towards a certain group of people or how a popular song can influence attitudes towards relationships.

1. How has pop culture reflected and shaped the values, beliefs, and attitudes of society throughout history?

2. In what ways has pop culture been used as a tool for social and political commentary, activism, and resistance?

3. What impact has the commercialization and commodification of pop culture had on society, both positive and negative?

4. How have different social groups and communities, such as women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and youth, engaged with and influenced pop culture over time?

5. What is the relationship between pop culture and technology, and how has the development of new technologies impacted the production, distribution, and consumption of pop culture?