Popular Culture: Mirror of American Life. Newspaper Articles for the Eighth Course by Newspaper.

Fifteen newspaper articles about popular culture in the United States are contained in this document. As the basis for a 15-week course by newspaper during the winter and spring of 1978, the articles served as the course "lectures." The articles were written by professors of mass communications, sociology, cinema, journalism, political science, and history; a newspaper columnist; a sports commentator; and a feminist author. They explore the nature of popular culture, popular culture as big business, and major themes that recur in such American institutions as the Hollywood "dream factory," music, sports, and politics. The role of popular culture in political and social change is also explored. Its influence on Americans' choices of life style and leisure pursuits is examined. Each article is preceded by a biographical statement about the author. (Author/AV)