Signs of Life in the USA : Readings on Popular Culture for Writers

by Maasik, Sonia; Solomon, Jack

• ISBN13: 9780312478124
• ISBN10: 0312478127
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-12-10
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's

Summary

Unlike other popular culture readers,Signs of Lifepresumes that this topic merits rigorous analysis and so provides a conceptual framework for understanding it: semiotics, a field of critical theory developed specifically for the interpretation of culture and its signs. The selections inSigns of Lifeare arranged in provocative chapters (on such themes as gender codes, television and music, film, and advertising) that tap into students' own experiences with and interest in popular culture.The uniquely qualified editorial team of a prominent semiotician and an experienced writing instructor have prepared extensive apparatus to prompt the rigorous analysis that helps students become better thinkers and writers. In this exciting edition,Signs of Lifeexamines fresh topics with an emphasis on the emerging phenomenon of Web 2.0. Maasik and Solomon continue to stay on the leading edge of popular culture, examining the hottest trends that capture students' attention.

Author Biography

Sonia Maasik is a lecturer in the UCLA Writing Programs, where she has taught writing from developmental to advanced levels.

Jack Solomon is professor of English at California State University, Northridge, and teaches literature and critical theory. He is often interviewed by the California media for analysis of current events and trends.

The two together also have published California Dreams and Realities: Readings for Critical Thinkers and Writers, Third Edition (Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2005).

Table of Contents

Preface for Instructors

Introduction: Popular Signs: Or Everything You've Always Known About American Culture (But Nobody Asked)

Portfolio: Images from the History of Popular Culture

Writing About Popular Culture

A Stand Against Wikipedia

Judging Quality on the InternetCiting Sources

Consuming Passions: The Culture of American Consumption

The More FactorPaired Readings

Understanding Shopping

The Science of Shopping

The Signs of Shopping

Credit Card Barbie [photograph]

What's in a Package

The Semiotics of Home Decor

Pottermania: the Marketing Behind the Magic

Frumpy or Chic? Tweed or Kente? Sometimes the Clothes Make the

"'Careful, You May Run Out of Planet'": SUVs and the Exploitation of the American Myth

Revolution Is U. S.

Commodify Your Dissent

Brought to You B(u)y

The Signs of Advertising

The Parable of the Democracy of Goods

When You Come Home [advertisement]

Paired Readings: Creating Consumers

What We Are to Advertisers

If You Have a "Buy Button" in Your Brain, What Pushes It?

Men’s Men and Women’s Women

Dove's "Real Beauty" Backlash

Metrosexuals Come Out

Kid Kustomers

Sex, Lies, and Advertising

Portfolio of Advertisements

Jeep Compass

American Egg Board

Phoenix Wealth Management

Tourism

Honda Pilot

Video Dreams: Television, Music and Culture

Voting Democracy off the Island: Reality TV and the Republican Ethos"You’re Fired" [photograph]

A Moral Never-Never Land: Identifying with

tPaired Readings: Animating Attitude

The Simpsons, Hyper-Irony, and the Meaning of Life

South Parkand the Open Society

Fox News Attempts to Get Funny

Signs of Intelligent Life on TVAndre Mayer

The New Sexual Stone Age"Marissa Connolly

Homosexuality on Television

The Heterosexualization ofWill and Grace

Dead? 'Hip-hop culture has been murdered'

The Hollywood Sign

The Signs of American Film

Paired Readings: Inventing Heroes

The Thematic Paradigm

Superhero Worship

Creating the Myth

Trailer Rhetoric

So You Wanna Be a Gangsta?

Asian Women in Film: No Joy, No Luck

High-School Confidential: Notes On Teen Movies

Movie Fantasy vs. Classroom Reality

Class and Virtue

Forrest Gump: A Subversive Movie

The Postmorbid Condition

Reservoir Dogs[movie poster]

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