Sociology of Mass Culture

Pre-requisites: Its desirable for students to come to this course with previous knowledge of general social theory; and mass (mainstream) culture, modern history and modern society from high school.

Course objectives: To investigate the nature of the categories of mass culture, on the relation of: modern society- mass culture; ways of functioning; theoretical conceptions; results of research; mass culture – global phenomena; mass culture at specific levels (specifically in Serbia)

Course description: One of the constitutive elements of modern society is mass culture. The creation of an industrial, and with it, mainstream society was the cause for mass culture. This course will elaborate on the following phenomena - «cultural industry», «industry of conscience» and the construction of mainstream taste; the culture of media; postmodern culture; the function of mass culture in relation to ideological interest; democratic character vs. antidemocratic character of mass culture; global communication; homogenizing of cultural values; rebellion against «Westernization» of culture (against the model known as the «American way of life»); phenomenon of re-traditionalism in the field of mainstream culture; forms of trivial culture. «use and value» of mainstream culture. Presentation of applicable materials. Analysis of content specific to mass culture (media programs, film, cartoons, music...).

Learning Outcomes: Developing a holistic, critical approach to assessing the phenomenon of mass culture and understanding the interaction of: mass culture – modern society. Gaining skills and methodological knowledge necessary for researching this subject.

Sociology of Mass Culture

Pre-requisites: Its desirable for students to come to this course with previous knowledge of general social theory; and mass (mainstream) culture, modern history and modern society from high school.

Course objectives: To investigate the nature of the categories of mass culture, on the relation of: modern society- mass culture; ways of functioning; theoretical conceptions; results of research; mass culture – global phenomena; mass culture at specific levels (specifically in Serbia)

Course description: One of the constitutive elements of modern society is mass culture. The creation of an industrial, and with it, mainstream society was the cause for mass culture. This course will elaborate on the following phenomena - «cultural industry», «industry of conscience» and the construction of mainstream taste; the culture of media; postmodern culture; the function of mass culture in relation to ideological interest; democratic character vs. antidemocratic character of mass culture; global communication; homogenizing of cultural values; rebellion against «Westernization» of culture (against the model known as the «American way of life»); phenomenon of re-traditionalism in the field of mainstream culture; forms of trivial culture. «use and value» of mainstream culture. Presentation of applicable materials. Analysis of content specific to mass culture (media programs, film, cartoons, music...).

Learning Outcomes: Developing a holistic, critical approach to assessing the phenomenon of mass culture and understanding the interaction of: mass culture – modern society. Gaining skills and methodological knowledge necessary for researching this subject.

Literature/Reading:

• Edmund Lič, Kultura i komunikacija, XX vek, Beograd, 2002.
• Fransis Bal, Moć Medija, Klio, Beograd, 1997.
• Ludvig Gic, Fenomenologija kiča, XX vek, Beograd, 1979.
• Luj Dolo, Individualna i masovna kultura, Klio, Beograd, 2000.
• Maršal Makluan, Poznavanje opštila – čovekovih prožetaka , Prosveta, Beograd, 1971.
• Suzan Bak-Mors, Svet snova i katastrofa, Beogradski krug, Beograd, 2005.