SOCY 548a, The Sociology of the Arts: Classical and Contemporary Perspectives.
This seminar examines sociological perspectives on the arts and popular culture. Emphasis is given to the conceptualization of the arts and popular culture within sociological theory, as well as the interpretation of cultural representations and artifacts, art works, film, music, literature, and so on. Students are exposed to a range of classical and contemporary perspectives and styles of analysis, from the normative to the strictly empirical.
How do I get there? Once I get there, what do I do with it?
In this era of globalization, many aspects of social life span national boundaries. In his book, Imagined Communities, Benedict Anderson stressed the role of the media in creating nations. How does the relationship between art, culture, and society change when communities cross national borders? What role does the media play in creating new kinds of publics? Th is course examines the globalization of the artistic and cultural worlds and how artistic products change in response. We will look at high and popular cultural forms of painting, music, fi lm, and writing. We will explore the interactions between artists, their audiences, and the curators, editors, and music industry moguls who are the gatekeepers of the culture industry.
