Exam Questions – ANTH 2110 Popular Culture The statement has been made that “Popular culture both reflects and shapes broader social forces.” What concepts allow us to explore this claim? Identify the concept, discuss its features, and state how the concept can be used to illustrate this statement. Blacking argues that “The effectiveness of music depends on peoples relationships to the organization and perception of musical symbols.” Describe the three areas of research in popular culture studies, and illustrate how each area might support this statement. The text suggests we use the concept of “the circuit of culture” in order to understand the popular culture as a feature of the human condition. Describe the circuit of culture. Identify other concepts from our readings and lectures that will be useful in illustrating the processes involved in this concept. The statement, “All cultural productions have two kinds of elements – conventions and inventions,” is supported by several concepts explored in the readings and lectures. Cite the most relevant concepts that you can use to illustrate the statement. Audience response to popular culture can be studied in a variety of ways. Identify the concepts from the readings and lectures that would be useful towards describing and understanding audience response, and what the audience is responding to. The statement, “Popular culture is always social – it is associated with cultural emphasis in a society and as “collective action” popular culture is a “social product” is a foundational one for this course and popular culture studies in general. Define and discuss the areas of research in popular culture studies as outlined in the text and lectures. Apply the elements of the areas of research to illustrate how you could show and support the ideas expressed in the statement.