I will need my initial discussion post and then two classmate responses done.
Over the past two weeks, our readings and discussions have been focused on establishing a baseline for understanding popular culture. In this module, we’ll begin our tour through the four lenses, beginning with history. As we dive into the four lenses, keep in mind that each lens is framed as a way of seeing the world around us and is not necessarily tied to the associated discipline. So, looking through the historical lens isn’t just about History Channel documentaries—it’s also about how you use the lens to understand the past and present. As you write your initial post, answer the following questions:
- In what ways does looking through the history lens enhance your understanding of popular culture?
- Consider a current event in the news that portrays a historical element. How does looking through the history lens influence how you perceive both the current and historical cultures referenced? Please share a news link to your event.
- How does analyzing the relationship between history, culture, and popular culture have an influence on your discipline of study or chosen profession?
Respond to at least two of your classmates. Compare and contrast your answers to further everyone’s understanding of popular culture and the lens of history.
Make sure you support your response with the readings from this module and any additional resources if needed.
To complete this assignment, review the Discussion Rubric PDF document.
Rubrics
1st classmate response needed
Looking through the History Lens
Laura Mills posted Jul 12, 2021 10:17 AM
Hello Everyone!
Welcome to Module 3! Wow, these last couple of weeks feel like they have flown. I have liked the discussion of a variety of topics that we are picking for our final project. Also, how we are going to look through these different general education lenses. From studying with SNHU, I have found it thought-provoking; we can pick a subject and look through it with these different lenses. It makes so much sense because it supports how there are many different perspectives that people see a concept or topic when discussing it. It is a great way to promote conversation around a subject that maybe needs more visibility in society or even one that doesn’t as much. In this discussion, we are talking about the first of four lenses; the history lens. This one is fascinating because, to pick pop culture topics that do not directly tie to the history lens, we get creative with how to see it through this lens. Sometimes it is easy, and other times, it involves thinking outside the box. I am curious to read your responses, and I hope you all have a great, safe, and productive week ahead!
The history lens has enhanced my understanding of popular culture by seeing how the two can intertwine and being able to encompass what people were going through during that time. It is said in a breakdown of the different lenses in the SNHU Shapiro Library that “History can inform the future by analyzing what happened and why” (Southern New Hampshire University, 2021). Specifically, how I have seen history and pop culture intertwine is present in the pop culture artifact I chose to use for my final project. I decided to focus on a TV show that aired this year called Cruel Summer. I know I didn’t have to use what I chose for the final project; I just thought it fit well into the history lens.
What makes this artifact so perfect is that the show takes place in a decade from the past (the ’90s) and brings up one date per episode. It also has characters or images that make quick references to events that we talk about today that happened during that period. In an episode, we see the main character eating a watching the news when it starts to talk about the main character’s kidnapper, who has a slight character resemblance to Ted Bundy, the serial killer from the 1970s (Biel et al., 2021- present).
The other way I mentioned is learning what people during a particular time were experiencing (good and bad). I saw this play out in the fictional novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby. This book that was written during the Roaring 20s details how society functioned in the 1920s. Some references are the end of WWI with the stock market booming, speakeasies & the Prohibition, the creation of old money vs. new money, flappers, and many others (Pruitt, 2018). For the end of WWI and the stock market boom, it is said, in the book “Nick Carraway, the narrator, and Jay Gatsby himself are veterans of World War I, and it is Gatsby’s war service that kicks off his rise from a ‘Mr. Nobody from Nowhere’ (in the words of his romantic rival, Tom Buchanan) to the fabulously wealthy owner of a mansion on West Egg, Long Island” (Pruitt, 2018).
The current news I chose is titled, “Charlottesville removes two Confederate statues as onlookers cheer”. The history lens influences how I see the current and historical cultures by first examining the current situation. In present-day society, we are more aware of giving attention to objects that honor a dark part of America’s history. In present-time, we want to have more accountability, and it starts with having the removal of Confederate statues knowing more about what it was honoring and symbolizing. In fact, in the article, it says,
“‘(Removing the statues) is one small step closer to the goal of helping Charlottesville, Virginia, and America grapple with its sin of being willing to destroy Black people for economic gains,’ Mayor Nikuyah Walker told reporters shortly before the Lee statue was lifted” (Ellis & Hanna, 2021).
History, culture, and popular culture influence graphic design by having a familiarity with creative trends that are currently influencing society, both culturally and in pop culture. The reason for this is because we could be working with a client that falls into that subject, and it is needed for us to be familiar with the person’s brand or the company’s brand for the design to be successful. For the history lens in graphic design, it is good that designers know how design/art trends and even the origins of the different categories of typography from the past. It helps us understand what period they are from and the culture surrounding it.
I want to hear your thoughts! Do you have a favorite general education lens to use? If so, what makes this one your favorite? Since studying with SNHU, have you noticed you look at topics through the four lenses more? Looking through these lenses, has it helped you gain more perspectives on subjects?
Reference:
Biel, J., Napolitano, T., & Purple, M. (Executive Producer). (2021- present). Cruel Summer [TV series]. Entertainment One; Iron Ocean Films.
Ellis, R., & Hanna, J. (2021, July 10). Charlottesville removes two Confederate statues as onlookers cheer. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/10/us/charlottesvi…
Pruitt, S. (2018, November 16). 8 Ways “The Great Gatsby” Captured the Roaring Twenties—and Its Dark Side. HISTORY. com/news/great-gatsby-roaring-twenties-fitzgerald-dark-side”>https://www.history.com/news/great-gatsby-roaring-…
Southern New Hampshire University. (2021, July 7). Research Guides: IDS 404 – Pop Culture: Lenses Identified. SNHU Shapiro Library. https://libguides.snhu.edu/c.php?g=942743&p=679568…
2nd classmate response needed
3-1 Discussion
Victoria Young posted Jul 12, 2021 7:43 PM
Hello everyone,
When looking through the history lens we can use the history techniques to analyze a certain artifact. When it comes to analyzing a film, we can look at when the film was made and even use the history technique to look at the time of the story inside the film. For example, Stranger Things takes place during the ’80s and we get music from that time period, movies, posters, and even the outfits worn during the ’80s to feel like we are being brought back to that time period and giving us a pop culture nostalgia. Another example is how the show also portrays certain historical events of that time. In the third season of Stranger Things, we can see political undertones became more apparent. The creators took the time to highlight certain themes of commercialization and the rising threat of communism.
One event I can think of is happening at the high school I went to and groups petitioning for the removal of the school nickname of the “rebels” and the removal of using the confederate flag at football games. The group is asking the school to remove its last remaining throwback to confederate culture. As we know the confederate flag is recognized for discriminating against blacks. “During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers were referred to as “rebels” as they attempted to rebel from the Union. The Confederate flag is also called the “Rebel flag.” Many students from other local high schools feel unwelcomed due to the use of the rebel flag and the way some students use it. Many suggest the removal of the nickname and to ban the flag to adapt to an ever-changing world and this must change.
History, culture, and popular culture have a big influence on my chosen profession of being a writer. It’s good to stay up to date with current popular culture events that society is interested in. When writing, you want to keep your readers interested especially where I am writing young adults, most of my readers look for characters and a storyline they can relate to.
0 comments