Religion and Popular Culture: A Cultural Studies Approach

by Chris Klassen

Looking at the intersection of religion and popular culture through a theoretical lens, this new text offers an insightful treatment of this topical area of study. Each chapter outlines different theories and explores how key ideologies inform and interact with aspects of popular culture, including television, film, music, and the Internet.

Genres: Anthropology

240 pages, Paperback

First published December 19, 2013

Reviews

[Jasmijn]

gelezen voor uni

[loïs · Rating 3 out of 5]

peaked at its chapter on the twilight series secretly being mormon

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as drive-by theory textbooks, this is a pretty good one; Klassen gives the basics of a number of cultural studies theories and theoreticians, and applies their findings in basic ways to the properties and artifacts of popular culture. For the most part this is handled rather cleanly, and with good writing that shows the diversity of these theories and the various ways they help people understand the importance of culture in the processes of meaning-making and religion. Other times, though, theories are covered in incredibly cursory ways, or the analysis and application of theories is handled on a very surface-y level that stands out in conjunction with the relative depth of other analyses. All-in-all this is a fantastic primer and a useful reference material, though, even with its minor flaws.

[Scarlett Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only textbook I’ve ever willingly read in two days & voluntarily thought about thereafter. So good

[juliet indigo · Rating 3 out of 5]

great resource for my religion and pop culture class, but probably wouldn’t have reached for this one otherwise.

[Vanessa Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A notable standout from my early studies focused on the intersectionality of pop culture and ideology, especially a set the background that the diverse culmination of religious culture Toronto inhibits.

Offered a distinctly different perspective than my Catholic secondary school decidedly rarely acknowledged in such a lucrative light. Some of my favourite work in second year, while forever in awe a professor, Dr. J. Harris, whom I have been inspired by ever since. Between her teaching methods and ability to strike such a balance between commentary on historical religiosity and contemporary consumerism driven capitalism, it was a privilege to begin to develop that nuanced lens under her influence.

Impossible to avoid the endless iterations of this often capitalized upon cross-over affect that relies heavily on both outrage and intrigue. Always has continued to influence the spark in conversations in art and film.