Course: RTV 205 – 02, Communications Department, Northern Kentucky University

Location and time: Landrum 101, Monday/Wednesday, 4:30-5:45

Instructor: Allen Ellis

Office: Steely Library 323

Phone: 572-5527

E-Mail: ellisa@nku.edu

Required text: Jack Nachbar and Kevin Lause, eds. Popular Culture: An Introductory Text. Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green State University Popular Press, 1992.

Course objectives: To serve as an introduction to the major areas of American Popular Culture and to explain why these areas tend to be so important to our lives. Popular Culture, which includes the mass media, stands as the major cultural environment in which nearly all Americans have lived during the Twentieth Century. Consequently, our cultural heritage and our present cultural identity – group as well as individual – are intimately related to Popular Culture. The popular environment both shapes and is shaped by us all.

We will investigate the activities, objects, and entertainment forms of our daily lives. Through readings, lectures, discussions, and media presentations, we will examine the values and attitudes expressed in and passed on by motion pictures, television, advertising, popular music, comic art, holidays, toys, and other aspects of our culture.

Course assignments and grading: Grades in this course will be based upon: 1) three exams; 2) a term paper; and 3) class participation.

Exams will be given on September 21, November 9, and December 14, and must be taken as scheduled. If for some reason (and it had better be a good one) an exam is missed, it is the student’s responsibility to schedule a make-up exam with the instructor. Failure to do so within 10 days of the exam will result in a grade of 0 (F) for that exam. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS to this rule. Unexcused absences on scheduled exam days will result in grades of 0 (F). Any student missing the final exam must inform the instructor within 24 hours of the scheduled exam so that appropriate action may be taken at the instructor’s discretion.

The term paper will be assigned on October19 and due on December 7. There will be a 10 point deduction for each day the paper is late.

Attendance and class participation are vital aspects of this class. Just by living in today’s America you are equipped to contribute to our discussion. Attendance will be taken, and you will be expected to ask questions and express your opinion, concerns, or observations. I would appreciate the courtesy of being advised should you expect to be absent, late, or excused early.

Final grades will be based on the following point system:

• 3 exams @ 50 points each ….. 150 points 270 - 300 points = A

• 1 term paper ………………… 100 points 240 - 269 points = B

• Class participation ………….. 50 points 210 - 239 points = C

• Total ……………………..….. 300 points 180 - 209 points = D

179 - below = F

Introduction; Taking Popular Culture Seriously

August 26

August 31 - Read pages 1-35

September 2 - Read pp. 36-79

Myths

September 9 - Read pp. 80-109

September 14 - Read pp. 110-133

September 16 - Read pp. 134-166

September 21 - EXAM 1

September 23 - Read pp. 168-185

September 28 - Read pp. 186-210

September 30 - Read pp. 211-234

October 5 - Read pp. 236-244

October 7 - Read pp. 262-276

October 12 - Read pp. 277-291

October 14 - Read pp. 292-311

October 19 - Term Paper Assigned

October 21 - Read pp. 312-330

October 26 - Read pp. 331-343

October 28 - Read pp. 344-352

November 2 - Read pp. 353-373

November 4 - Review

November 9 - EXAM 2

November 11 - Read pp. 376-386

November 16 - Read pp. 387-411

November 18 - Read pp. 412-429

November 23 - Read pp. 430-444

Nov. 30 - Read pp. 445-462, 476-488

December 2 - Read pp. 463-475

December 7 - Term Paper Due

December 9 - Read pp. 490-504

December 14 - EXAM 3