Introduction to popular culture

Introduction to popular culture

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​Popular cultures are often linked to an initial cult following at the micro level of society, which grows to the meso and macro levels. This rapid growth can be attributed to the spread of products from various cultures and countries around the world and the increased access we have to technology. Globalisation ensures that shared norms and values will result in high profits for the transnational corporations who promote them.

​Development from local to global level

​What is popular culture?

​For the purpose of this study, in order to define something as a popular culture, it must have four distinguishing characteristics. As outlined by the Society and Culture syllabus, these characteristics are:

​

1. associated with commercial products and paraphernalia

2. develops from a local to a global level

3. achieves widespread consumer access

4. is constantly changing and evolving.

Multiple Choice

The plays of William Shakespeare studied by a class of university students last week is popular culture

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

A painting by Van Gogh is popular culture

• False

• True

Multiple Choice

Facebook posts are popular culture

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played yesterday on the radio is popular culture

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The video game Minecraft is popular culture

• True

• False

​Folk culture consists of traditions carried on by individuals and small groups. It represents a simpler way of life and is typically associated with a rural and conservative lifestyle. Folk culture is most often transferred orally and it’s not created for mass consumption. Examples include: Louisiana Creole music and language, geishas, or the Amish culture.

​Other types of culture- folk culture

Multiple Select

Folk culture characteristics include...

• Practiced by large population

• Traditional

• Maintains unique identity

• Rabid changes because of globalization

• Relatively unchanged

Multiple Choice

Folk culture is

• practiced by small homogeneous groups in isolated, rural areas

• practiced by large heterogeneous societies that share certain habits despite being different.

Open Ended

What is a folk cultural tradition you know of from your experience?

​Other types of culture- high culture

​

Culture that is created to appeal to the most educated people is called high culture. It generally is considered more important, prestigious and valuable than pop culture, which has more mass appeal and less educational value. It often requires some education in the art in order to be understood and appreciated. Examples of high culture include: opera, ballet, and Shakespeare.

Open Ended

Is high culture more valuable than popular culture? Why or why not?

Popular culture

​

​Traditionally, people were only exposed to their own local culture. But the Industrial Revolution and population movement to cities made people more aware of the wider world, and gave them a greater sense of belonging to a larger community, one with shared cultural experiences and attitudes. Originally, they called these people the ‘masses’ - meaning uneducated, working class people. Today popular culture is fluid and changes with social values; nevertheless it remains known and accessible to everyone.

Multiple Choice

"High culture" is often considered to be the culture of the elite:

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Which of the following represents the so-called "high culture"?

• Car racing

• Magazines

• Classic literature

• Blog articles

​Since capitalism exists in any place where popular culture exists, all forms of popular culture are associated with commercial products and paraphernalia such as movies, mugs, key chains, posters, magazines and clothing.

​Commercialisation

​As well as making and selling products, corporations also form a link between a cultural stereotype and a product. Over time, the stereotype may become linked to those who participate in that culture; for example, if you are seen as laid back and cool, you might be identified as a surfer. By associating their product with popular culture, corporations ensure that their customers will buy more goods. Products related to popular culture allow people to express their identity to others who share that same interest.

​​Commercialisation

​Commodification: "A social process by which an item is turned into a commodity in readiness to be traded. The process relies on marketing strategies with the aim of producing a perceived value in the item. "[NESA]

​In other words...Commodification is a social process in which an item, such as fashion, is prepared and marketed to be exchanged for money. The process relies on marketing strategies to persuade people that the item has value.

​https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx_iGUVXDUOVPxqrwO3swBo_iq1KSQmpPq

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​https://www.90sfashion.com/grunge-style-men/

Open Ended

How was grunge fashion 'commodified'? Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

​Hip-hop started in the South Bronx of New York City, and became a global sensation partly because of MTV. That cable channel presented mostly videos, and as more people watched, the genre grew more popular. Then, as SoundScan began collecting data on sales of the genre in the 1990s, it became clear that hip-hop wasn’t just popular in the United States; it was also popular globally. Today hip-hop is relevant across many contexts— even South African hip hop, Kwaito or UK rap.

​Hip Hop

Open Ended

How has technology contributed to the spread of hip hop culture?

​Achieving widespread consumer access

​Achieving widespread consumer access is necessary for a movement to be considered a popular culture. If it remains only localised or underground, it may be a fad or trend, but it is not popular culture. The development of media technologies has meant that contemporary popular cultures spread at a pace much more rapid than those that came before it.