CMM 126 - Popular Culture, Personal Identity and You

3 credit(s)
The extensive time young people spend paying attention to media for entertainment and information raises important questions about the role of popular culture in people’s lives that are explored in this class. What kind of values and ideas are presented in media? Do media present cues to people about how they should look and act? How are various groups in society portrayed in media such as different economic classes, racial and ethnic minorities, genders and sexual orientations? After addressing the role of popular culture in society more broadly, we examine specific kinds of media like television, film, advertising, social media, popular music, children’s media and pornography. Hopefully this course will provide insight about how popular culture has influenced your own identity and provide tools to be a more active, engaged user of media.
Laboratory fee.

Click here for Spring 2026 course scheduling information.

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