POPULAR CULTURE  STUDIES DEFINITION
Studies of  "a whole way of life" of particular cultures, including the impact of modern mass media

COMPREHENSIVE LINK: Popular Culture Appreciation Society

THEORY

Popular Culture Studies Theory link

 Palace Theater, Broadway, New York city
An actor of established prestige may venture into vaudeville ; he usually makes his audience feel exactly how far he has condescended to appear before them and accept, even if he doesn't earn, a salary three times as great as usual; but the actor in the middle distance very well knows that if he goes into vaudeville he is digging his own grave, because there is a stigma attached to the two-a-day. Vaudeville players , in short, are not entitled to "the vestments of refined society." About every ten years the corrupt desire to be refined takes hold of vaudeville itself; but it dies out quickly and vaudeville remains simple and good.
Gilbert Seldes, The Seven Lively Arts

Popular Culture Studies Theory link

Las Vegas, photo by Will Shepa
They are the new landmarks of America, the new guideposts, the new way Americans get their bearings. And yet what do we know about these signs, these incredible pieces of neon sculpture, and what kind of impact they have on people?  Nobody seems to know the first thing about it, not even the men who design them.
Tom Wolfe,  THE KANDY- KOLORED TANGERINE-FLAKE STREAMLINE BABY

Popular Culture Studies Theory link

Cigarette Advertising
Whether we are trying to do it or not, we are educating people so that they are just literate enough to be conned by the advertisers. In a democracy which is highly commercialised you have to give people critical literacy. If you don't do that, you might as well pack it in.
Richard Hoggart, founder of the Centre for Contemporary Culture Studies , Birmingham, England

Popular Culture Studies Theory link

 Last week the Postal Service issued the Elvis stamp; this week, Bill Clinton will be augurated as the 42nd president of the United States. This combination of circumstances is not exactly an accident.
Greil Marcus

 PRACTICE:

Popular Culture Studies Practice link

UNCLE TOM'S CABIN & American Culture: A Multi-Media Archive created at the University of Virginia

Popular Culture Studies Practice link

  Bob Hope and American Variety  Library of Congress exhibit

Popular Culture Studies Practice link

  American Quarterly hypertext article called Dreaming Arnold Schwarzenegger

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