COM 44001 - Rhetoric Of Popular Culture

This course explores the idea of popular culture as a predominately rhetorical/persuasive force in our everyday lives. This course will cover a diversity of culture forms including: literature, film, music, art, theatre, social movements, politics, economics, sports, celebrity, and more. Students will learn rhetorical and cultural theories that will equip them to be more conscious of, understand more completely, and accept or resist the forces of popular culture in culture, economic, political and social contexts.

Preparation for Course
P: COM 20300.

Cr. 3.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Understand the rhetorical dimensions of American popular culture.
2. Describe, interpret, and evaluate everyday encounters of popular culture influences.
3. Understand and apply rhetorical theory to popular culture texts.
4. Engage a critical, self-reflexive analysis of how popular culture informs our personal, social, and cultural identity formation, including complex identity negotiation of race, class, sex, gender, and sexuality.