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Soc. 118 Media, Culture & Society

Explore the functionalist approach to popular culture, focusing on rituals of solidarity, rebellion, and reflection. Examine the darker functions of popular culture and its impact on society.

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Soc. 118 Media, Culture & Society

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  1. Soc. 118Media, Culture & Society Chapter 2 Friday Night Lights: A Functionalist Approach to Popular Culture

  2. Chapter 2: Overview • Foundations of Functionalism • Rituals of Solidarity and Social Cohesion • Popular Culture as a Resource for Public Reflection • Video: “Friday Night Lights” • Rituals of Rebellion in Popular Culture • The Darker Functions of Popular Culture

  3. The Functionalist Approach • What is social use or function of media and popular culture? • The glue that helps hold modern society together • Foundations • Early sociology • Focus on rapid social change during Industrial Revolution • Emile Durkheim -- "The Elementary Forms of Religious Life" • The role of religion in function of society • Focus on symbols, rituals and beliefs

  4. The Functionalist Approach • Basic Elements: • Shared symbols and images Represent s collective conscience of group • Imagined boundaries between the sacred and profane Rituals reinforce distinctions between us and them • Rituals generate collective effervescence Shared sense of identity, people swept up in unity

  5. The Functionalist Approach • Ancient societies held together by religion • Concerns about solidarity in modern society • Pluralist • Secular • What social glue binds diverse people together? • Rituals of Solidarity and Social Cohesion • Symbols foster collective attachments • Team regalia • Serves as a civic religion • National identity, pride • Special times and places • Collective behavior • Generate collective effervescence among participants • Social solidarity with strangers

  6. Popular Culture as a Resource for Public Reflection • Universal themes and stories • Fables, fairy tales, morality plays • Culture of celebrity • Mythical archetypes, extreme attributes • Gossip, water-cooler talk, scoops • Sports as a reflection on human condition • Perennial narratives or evergreens • Tales of triumph, loss, grace, virtue • Discussions on inequality • The human body and its limits

  7. “Friday Night Lights” Video Presentation:

  8. The Functionalist Approach • Rituals of Rebellion in Popular Culture • Means of protest • Letting off steam or moral holidays • Examples: Mardi Gras, Halloween, celebrity roasts, political satire • Actual purpose to solidify social order • No real change • The Darker Functions of Popular Culture • Reinforces status quo • Trivial distraction • Profit driven • Glorifies wrong values • Leads to mob mentality

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