Soc. 118Media, Culture & Society

Chapter 2Friday Night Lights:

A Functionalist Approach to Popular Culture

Chapter 2: Overview

Foundations of Functionalism Rituals of Solidarity and Social Cohesion Popular Culture as a Resource for Public

Reflection Video: “Friday Night Lights”

Rituals of Rebellion in Popular Culture The Darker Functions of Popular Culture

What is social use or function of media and popular culture? The glue that helps hold modern society together

Foundations Early sociology

Focus on rapid social change during Industrial Revolution Emile Durkheim -- "The Elementary Forms of Religious Life"

The role of religion in function of society Focus on symbols, rituals and beliefs

The Functionalist Approach

Basic Elements:1. Shared symbols and images

Represent s collective conscience of group

2. Imagined boundaries between the sacred and profaneRituals reinforce distinctions between us and them

3. Rituals generate collective effervescence

Shared sense of identity, people swept up in unity

The Functionalist Approach

Ancient societies held together by religion Concerns about solidarity in modern society

Pluralist Secular

What social glue binds diverse people together? Rituals of Solidarity and Social Cohesion

Symbols foster collective attachments Team regalia

Serves as a civic religion National identity, pride

Special times and places Collective behavior

Generate collective effervescence among participants Social solidarity with strangers

The Functionalist Approach

Universal themes and stories Fables, fairy tales, morality plays Culture of celebrity

Mythical archetypes, extreme attributes Gossip, water-cooler talk, scoops

Sports as a reflection on human condition Perennial narratives or evergreens

Tales of triumph, loss, grace, virtue Discussions on inequality The human body and its limits

Popular Culture as a Resource for Public Reflection

Video Presentation:

“Friday Night Lights”

The Functionalist Approach

Rituals of Rebellion in Popular Culture Means of protest Letting off steam or

moral holidays Examples: Mardi

Gras, Halloween, celebrity roasts, political satire

Actual purpose to solidify social order

No real change

The Darker Functions of Popular Culture Reinforces status quo Trivial distraction Profit driven Glorifies wrong values Leads to mob mentality