Define culture industry and mass culture. Explain the critical theorists’ critiques of them. Watch a show on network television during prime time and then in a short essay, explain whether or not the media is a prepackaged set of ideas mass-produced that has a pacifying, repressive, and stupefying effect on people.
What will be an ideal response?
• Mass culture is the culture popular among the masses such as that seen in TV, Internet, and the movies. To critical theorists, the culture industry is the conglomeration of forms of entertainment that has appealed to the lowest common denominator and made humans much less interested in economic concerns. In essence, according to these theorists, the cultural industry (and mass consumption) has colonized culture and individuals in it, making any sort of Marxist revolution much less possible.
• Most television media is only a slight unique version of what has been done before and thus lacks the creative aspects we usually attribute to “art.”
• Most television media, especially so-called reality television that basically involves intricate game shows, usually does little to actively engage audiences in ways that challenge their assumptions or expand their consciousness.
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A) Has been the norm in developed countries for hundreds of years B) Began in the U.S. in the 1920s C) Was not accepted in the U.S. until the "free love" movement in the 60s D) Applies only to those younger than their mid-20s
Which country exports many of its highly trained technical and health professionals?
A) India B) Mexico C) Russia D) China
Title IX prohibits the exclusion of people from education programs based on gender
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
New social movements tend to mobilize around issues of rights and collective identities. Discuss the connection between the women's movement and new social movement theory, providing specific examples.
What will be an ideal response?