Write a feature magazine article that analyzes a transnational cultural artifact: a song, music video, user-created video, movie, blog, book, fashion style, celebrity, etc. In preparation for this project, explore the criteria that help explain what makes a cultural artifact popular in one context and consider how the same criteria may or may not apply to another context. Then, identify a pop culture artifact. It may be something that has crossed over the national boundary or one that you think has the potential of becoming a transnational phenomenon. Alternatively, you can choose an artifact that has no hope of becoming accepted beyond its original cultural context. Once you have identified your artifact, explore the literature to find out what has been said about the artifact and its reception–both within its original cultural context and in other countries. The literature may include various media, including newspaper and magazine articles as well as blogs, parodies, comments on interactive websites. You may even find articles about the artifact in academic journals.
Then, using the sources you have identified as well as your own analysis of the artifact, write an article that describes the artifact and explains why it has become the international success that it has, why it has the potential for such success, or why it has no hope of becoming one. You may also consider how the artifact has been and can be adapted to audiences in different locale. Based on your analysis, also consider its implications for transnational pop culture as a whole, for other pop culture artifacts from similar cultural contexts, or for the future of the artifact that you have examined.
Learning Objectives
Through this project, you will learn to:
Audience
For this project, your audience will be readers of an entertainment magazine. You could choose a publication that is specific to the type of pop culture artifact you are examining (e.g., movies, video games, or music). You could write for a pop culture magazine in general that cuts across different kinds of artifacts. You might choose a magazine or publication that is specific to the particular culture where your artifact originated. Or, you can write for an age-specific magazine, such as a publication that targets college-age readers.
Your readers could include music lovers, movie buffs, or video game fanatics. Or, they might be members of a mass audience who are curious about, interested in, or surprised by the shift in today’s pop culture scene.
Genre: Feature Article
There are several specific steps you should take to complete the final written copy of this feature magazine article. First, create an opening to identify your chosen cultural artifact and to explain its transnational status. Next, provide a detailed description of the artifact and how it has been received in different cultural contexts. Then, write an analysis of what makes the artifact popular (currently or potentially) or not so popular. You may follow with a discussion of how it may be adapted (if applicable). Finally, include a discussion of the implications–what the artifact says about transnational pop culture in general or about pop culture from similar cultural contexts, or about the future of the artifact under consideration.
Project Requirements
Work Cited (for the handout)
Valerio, Anna Patricia. “Catching the Korean wave.” Bworldonline.com. Business World Publishing Corporation, 20 Sep. 2012. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. <http://www.bworldonline.com/weekender/content.php?id=58793Links to an external site.>.
Suggested Readings
Chu, Michael. “Youthful voice: ‘Pop culture equals globalization.’” Nwasianweekly.com. Northwest Asian Weekly, 26 Aug. 2012. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. <http://www.nwasianweekly.com/2012/08/youthful-voice-pop-culture-equals-globalization/Links to an external site.>.
Delaney, Tim. “Pop culture: An overview.” Philosophynow.org. Philosophy Now, 2007. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. <http://philosophynow.org/issues/64/Pop_Culture_An_OverviewLinks to an external site.>.
Feki, Shereen El. “Pop culture in the Arab world.” Ted.com. Ted talk, July 2009. Web. 23 Mar.
Ho, Erica. “‘Gangnam Style:’ Is Japan immune to PSY mania?” Newsfeed.time.com. Time, Inc., 15 Oct. 2012. Web. 1 Nov. 2012. http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/10/15/gangnam-style-is-japan-immune-to-psy-mania/Links to an external site.
Ivey, Bill and Steven J. Tepper. “Cultural Renaissance or Cultural Divide?” Chronicle.com. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 19 May 2006. Web. 1 Nov. 2012. http://chronicle.com/article/Cultural-Renaissance-or/6435/Links to an external site.
Lapin, Joseph. “Why the hell is Psy so popular?” Blogs.ocweekly.com. OC Weekly, LP, 24 Sep. 2012. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. https://www.ocweekly.com/why-the-hell-is-psy-so-popular-6582852/Links to an external site.
“Off Book: ‘The Worlds of Viral Video.’” Video.pbs.org. Public Broadcasting Service, 27 Jul. 2012. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. <http://video.pbs.org/video/2261116168Links to an external site. >.
Zuckerman, Ethan. “What to make of Ai Wei Wei’s ‘Gangnam Style’?” Ethanzuckerman.com. Ethan Zuckerman, 25 Oct. 2012. Web. 1 Nov. 2012. https://ethanzuckerman.com/2012/10/25/what-to-make-of-ai-wei-weis-gangnam-style/Links to an external site.
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