Policy Press

Social Problems in Popular Culture

By R. J. Maratea and Brian Monahan

Published

Sep 28, 2016

Page count

160 pages

ISBN

978-1447321583

Dimensions

240 x 172 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Sep 28, 2016

Page count

160 pages

ISBN

978-1447321576

Dimensions

240 x 172 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Sep 28, 2016

Page count

160 pages

ISBN

978-1447321606

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Sep 28, 2016

Page count

160 pages

ISBN

978-1447321613

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press
Social Problems in Popular Culture

‘Popular culture’ is more than just a broad term for entertainment and frivolous diversions and is highly relevant to many aspects of society.

In this exciting textbook, the authors offer insights into the important, but often overlooked, relationship between popular culture and social problems. Drawing on historical and topical examples, they apply an innovative theoretical framework to examine how facets of popular culture—from movies and music, to toys and games, as well as billboards, bumper stickers, and bracelets—shape how we think about, and respond to, social issues.

Including student features and evocative case studies, this is the first book to make the link between popular culture and social problems and will help students understand the relationship between them. Deftly combining the fun and irreverence of popular culture with a critical scholarly inquiry, this timely book delivers an engaging account of how our interactions with popular culture matter more than we think!

R.J. Maratea is Visiting Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Seton Hall University. His research focuses on the sociological implications of mass communication, with an emphasis on Internet technology, deviance, social control, and the construction of social reality.

Brian Monahan is Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice Program at Baldwin Wallace University. He is the author of The Shock of the News (NYU 2010) and several articles exploring how media represent crime and other social problems.

Introduction;

Understanding Social Problems and Popular Culture;

Blaming Popular Culture for the Existence of Social Problems;

Spreading Problem Claims Through Popular Culture;

Popular Culture and Pushback;

Marketing Social Problems Through Popular Culture;

Conclusion.