Exploring Key Concepts in Popular Culture Studies

The video lecture explores the definitions and complexities of culture and popular culture. It begins by discussing the challenges of defining popular culture, referencing Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart's famous quote. The lecture then delves into the etymology and anthropological definitions of culture, highlighting contributions from E.B. Tyler and Raymond Williams. Various perspectives on popular culture are examined, including those by John Storey and Henry Glassie. The video concludes with a brief history of the institutionalization of pop culture studies in the United States, focusing on the contributions of Ray Brown.

What are the two main objectives of the video lecture?

• Examine the influence of technology on popular culture

• Analyze the role of media in popular culture

• Discuss the impact of popular culture on society and politics

• Define key terms and trace the history of popular culture in the US

According to the video, what makes defining popular culture challenging?

• It is not recognized by scholars

• It is constantly changing

• It is subjective and varies by individual perception

• It is influenced by technology

What is the etymological origin of the term 'culture'?

• Spanish

• Greek

• Latin

• German

Who provided the earliest anthropological definition of 'culture'?

• Matthew Arnold

• E.B. Tylor

• Raymond Williams

• Henry Glassie

Which book by Raymond Williams is recommended for understanding his contributions to cultural studies?

• Culture as Ordinary

• Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and Society

• Primitive Culture

• Culture and Society

According to Raymond Williams, what are the three broad definitions of culture?

• Intellectual development, way of life, artistic activity

• Economic status, social class, political influence

• Technological advancement, media influence, globalization

• Historical context, geographical location, cultural heritage

Which perspective on popular culture suggests that there is no distinction between low and high culture?

• Marxist

• Postmodern

• Birmingham School

• Frankfurt School

What does Henry Glassie propose about the characteristics of folk culture and popular culture?

• Folk culture varies through time, popular culture varies through space

• Popular culture varies through time, folk culture varies through space

• Both vary equally through time and space

• Neither varies significantly through time or space

Who is considered a key figure in the institutionalization of popular culture studies in the United States?

• Raymond Williams

• E.B. Tylor

• Ray Brown

• Matthew Arnold

Which university did Ray Brown join to develop the academic study of popular culture?

• Bowling Green State University

• Columbia University

• University of Birmingham

• University of Alabama