Posted: July 16th, 2023

Social Science Popular Culture Assignment

AMST 300
POP CULTURE AND ME ESSAY PART 1
Due Friday, June 9 by 11:59pm to Canvas

Part 1 of the “Pop Culture and Me” essay will ask you to begin thinking about your own relationship to popular culture. Use first person voice to articulate the significance of one form of pop cultural production that has shaped your identity today. Choose something that has greatly impacted your life in some way. This does not necessarily need to be your “favorite” thing (though it could be), but rather something that has helped shape your identity and worldview. The idea of this essay is to situate yourself as an active consumer of culture. A PDF of sample essays from students is posted to Canvas.

Below are some examples of forms of popular culture that you can you choose to engage in your essay:

• Television show
• Festival or convention (i.e. music festival or comic book convention)
• Film
• Album or song
• Musician, music group, or band
• Brand and/or store (i.e. Apple, Nike, Target, or Coca-Cola)
• Play/Theater
• Musical
• Comic book/manga
• Book – novel, biography, cookbook, memoir, etc.
• Ritual or custom
• Poem
• Celebrity
• Stand-up comedian or comedy special
• Sports team
• Athlete
• Social media community or forum
• Or something else. Double check with me if you’re not sure about a topic.

Part I of your essay should be 2-3 pages in length and consist of the following parts:
1) Introduction (1 paragraph)
2) Thesis statement at the end of the introduction/first paragraph
3) Define and explain what your pop culture artifact is in your own words
4) Explain how the pop cultural piece has impacted your life, experiences, or worldview
5) Attempt to situate the pop culture artifact in a larger context. What has its role been in larger society (if any)? What impact has it had on the world outside of just yourself?
6) Conclusion (1 paragraph)
Format: 2-3 Pages, 12 point, Times New Roman, double spaced, 1-inch margins

This paper….

(1-10)

…has a clear introduction and conclusion.

…has a clear purpose in addressing the prompt, by specifying a particular pop cultural item and its significance in your life.

…provides details.
…is clear and understandable throughout; fully explains ideas (development).
…is organized in a way that includes transitions, topics sentences, a logical order, and “flow” (organization).
Total Score Averaged (out of 10)

Social Science Popular Culture Assignment

_________________________-
Pop Culture and Me

Introduction

Pop culture is a part of our everyday lives. It is the music we listen to, the movies we watch, the books we read, the clothes we wear, and the games we play. It is all around us, and it can have a profound impact on our lives.

In this essay, I will explore the significance of one form of pop culture that has shaped my identity today. I will choose something that has greatly impacted my life in some way. This does not necessarily need to be my “favorite” thing (though it could be), but rather something that has helped shape my identity and worldview.

The pop culture artifact I have chosen is the television show The Office. I first watched The Office when I was in college, and it quickly became one of my favorite shows. I was drawn to the characters, the humor, and the relatable stories.

Thesis Statement

The Office has had a profound impact on my life in many ways. It has helped me to understand the importance of teamwork, the power of humor, and the value of diversity. It has also taught me about the importance of being true to myself, even when it is difficult.

Body

Teamwork

One of the most important lessons I have learned from The Office is the importance of teamwork. In the show, the employees of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company are constantly working together to achieve common goals. They learn to rely on each other, to compromise, and to celebrate their successes together.

I have found that these lessons have been valuable in my own life. I have learned that I am stronger when I work with others, and that I can accomplish more when I am part of a team.

Humor

The Office is also a very funny show. The characters are constantly making jokes, and the show often uses humor to deal with difficult topics. I have found that humor can be a powerful tool for coping with stress and adversity.

I have learned that it is important to find humor in life, even when things are tough. Humor can help us to see the lighter side of things, and it can help us to stay positive.

Diversity

The Office is a very diverse show. The characters come from all different backgrounds, and they have different beliefs and values. This diversity is one of the things that makes the show so interesting and relatable.

I have learned that diversity is a strength. When people from different backgrounds come together, they can learn from each other and create something new. I have also learned that it is important to be open-minded and to respect the beliefs and values of others.

True to Yourself

One of the most important messages of The Office is that it is important to be true to yourself. The characters in the show are often faced with difficult choices, and they sometimes make mistakes. However, they always try to be true to who they are.

I have learned that it is important to be honest with myself about who I am, what I want, and what I believe in. I have also learned that it is important to be brave and to stand up for what I believe in, even when it is difficult.

The Office has had a profound impact on my life in many ways. It has helped me to understand the importance of teamwork, the power of humor, the value of diversity, and the importance of being true to myself. I am grateful for the lessons I have learned from this show, and I know that they will continue to help me throughout my life.