what is popular culture?

It may seem that popular culture is not a "serious" topic of conversation when compared to science or art. But when you think of how often you are exposed to elements of popular culturein advertisements, films, books, games, and countless other waysit makes sense that we should examine it as closely as we do other disciplines. As we begin our first discussion, consider how you engage with popular culture and how it influences your community, your chosen field of study, or your future profession.

Each discussion is meant to be a collaborative space for conversation in which to process the concepts within the course. To ensure an interesting and respectful discussion, you are encouraged to think creatively about your initial posts and build upon the points made by your peers in your response posts. Discussing challenges that face our world often means investigating opinions and ideas different from your own. Remember to remain thoughtful and respectful towards your peers and instructor in your discussion post and replies. It is also important to review the module resources and read the prompts in their entirety before participating in the discussion.

Create one initial post and follow up with at least two response posts.

For your initial post, address the following:

1. Introduce yourself to the class by sharing as much as you are comfortable sharing, such as your preferred name, pronouns, where you're from, and your major.
2. In your own words, discuss how you engage with popular culture, where it shows up in your daily life, and how it impacts you.
3. What is the influence of popular culture on your community, your chosen field of study, or your future profession?