In this module, students examine popular culture as it affects their own lives and influences the work of visual artists. Beginning with television, students examine their viewing habits and make judgements about the positive and negative effects of television viewing, including in their investigation product sponsorship and role models. Students also critically examine their reading materials, such as magazines and comic books, for examples of bias and cultural conditioning. They examine fads of their day and compare them to fads of previous times in order to determine the factors that influence popular culture. Many visual artists reflect the popular culture of the day.
Students examine how art works reflect the society and the times.
Through this study students become more aware of popular culture, its influence on the development of their self-concept and the potential power it has upon their lives. Ask the students about their favourite television programs. Analyze what aspects about the program keep them interested and watching on a regular basis. Listings of television programs for discussion of content Mass Media and Popular Culture , 2nd edition, by B. Duncan Have small groups choose a genre of program, such as westerns, comedies, dramas, mysteries, sports, soaps, news, sports programs, talk shows, etc. Analyze how each maintains interest in order to keep the audience coming back for more entertainment.