Based on your understanding of the readings and videos in module’s 6-11 with a focus on U.S. popular culture from the turn-of-the-20th century to mid-20th century (1900-1970s), address the following questions in your essay:
Overarching question: What role did modern popular culture play in U.S. society’s race, class and gender relations?
What were some important “new/modern” forms/types of popular culture that emerged from the early 1900s through the 1970’s?
Be sure to address and discuss – to some degree and based on course materials – in what ways did modern popular culture reflect the ideas, values and interests of the Progressive Era, Wartime Periods, Post WWII era and “Long Sixties”/era of social movements – (need to define and discuss based on course materials).
Be sure to address and discuss – to some degree and based on course materials – in what ways did modern popular culture reflect the ideas, values and interests of the “Movements” for civil rights and racial justice – (based on course materials).
2. What were some significant ways modern American popular culture reflected, influenced and was influenced by major social, political, economic and technological changes taking place between 1900 and 1970s.
Be sure to address and discuss – to some degree and based on course materials – in what ways did modern popular culture reflect and reinforce existing (hegemonic) power and social relations in terms of race, class, and gender?
Be sure to address and discuss – to some degree and based on course materials – in what ways did modern popular culture counter, critique, and/or transform hegemonic race, class and gender relations?
***be sure to provide specific references, examples and supporting evidence from course materials in your responses to all parts of the prompt above.
Requirements:
This essay has a word count minimum of 100 words.
Please format your essay with: 12-point font, double-spaced and with 1-inch margins.
Please use the MLA citation format and Works Cited Page
No outside sources are needed. You only need to use sources provided in this class.
Basic Rubric:
Essay should have clearly articulated, well organized and supported analysis and argument.
Essay should clearly, appropriately and sufficiently reference, cite and/or integrate relevant course materials, contexts and specific examples
Essay should clearly addresses and respond to all parts of the prompt provided above.
Essay should follow MLA format.
Essay should meet basic requirements stated above.
Essay should meet the assignment submission requirements and deadline.
Essay should reference or cite at least 4 course-assigned reading sources and 3 course-assigned/shared documentaries/videos.
Independently researched sources may include documentaries, videos or articles relevant to the prompt questions. All independently researched materials must be properly cited and included in the Works Cited page.
Your Voice Matters:
Write in first-person; make “I” statements; Actively express and highlight your own understanding and analysis of the relevant content and contexts. Show how you have integrated and synthesized course materials in order to come to your own conclusions. Course materials should be used as examples and evidence to support your perspectives, positions and arguments.
