ENGL-261 Readings in Popular Culture

Credits 3 / 3 Contact Hours
Pre-requisite: Placement into RDNG-030 (ACSR-030), completion of ELAP-110 with a minimum grade of 2.0, or successful completion of RDNG-016 or ACLT-074 with a minimum grade of 3.0. Pre-requisite: Successful completion of ENGL-101  or ENGL-103  with a grade of 2.0 or higher.
This course will give students an increased ability to identify and comment upon the ways that popular culture both shapes and reflects the desires of citizens and consumers. By looking critically at a range of popular artifacts including literary/cultural criticism short stories aritcles essays photos songs films and television episodes students learn to read them more critically and actively. At the end of the semester students should be able to explain the social historical political and cultural contexts surrounding popular culture and the ideologies it carries including the ways it is exported to and influenced by other cultures and groups.

Course Outcomes
1.       Critical Thinking  Students will:

A.     Closely read, analyze and interpret a variety of texts using relevant theoretical approaches commonly used in English courses.

B.      Support analyses and interpretations with textual evidence in written work and class discussions (both in class and online).

C.      Appropriately use and document outside sources that are considered credible, valid and relevant within the field to further support analyses and interpretations when necessary.

2.       Global/Cultural Awareness  Students will:

A.     Demonstrate an understanding of how and why diverse viewpoints exist based on a complex system that includes, but is not limited to,  religion, culture, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic level, political beliefs, gender identity, historical influences, and/or educational level.

B.      Demonstrate awareness of how a text can perform several functions, such as social critiques, normalizing narratives, and commentaries on the human condition.

3.       Citizenship/Learning Community Students will:

A.      Participate collegially in class discussions (in person and/or online) that examine multiple interpretations of assigned texts.

B.      Recognize the validity of differing interpretations when presented with appropriate supporting evidence.

C.      Gain an understanding of how one’s own reading of a text can benefit through participation in a learning community.