GNDR 5650 - Race, Gender, and Popular Culture

In this class, we will explore themes and debates related race, gender, and popular culture. Grounded in the notion that popular culture is a vital realm where meanings about the world are forged, we engage a wide range of perspectives to investigate how various groups of people express identity, resist inequality, and participate in political struggles. We will examine the influence that popular culture has on our daily lives as it is communicated through the Internet, film, music, fashion, television, advertising, and food. At the same time, we will ground these discussions theoretically, considering the major schools of thought that shape critical debates across disciplines. Guiding questions include: What role does popular culture play in our society? Is popular culture created by and for the people? Or is it controlled by elites? How do gender and race shape and/or contest the terms of popular culture?