Youth Culture in the United States 4219-SH0014
What is the connection between young people and popular culture? Who do we think about when talking about “youth”? And is the famous phrase, supposedly said by Bob Dylan, to “never trust anyone over thirty” still valid for American adolescents? The course will serve as an introduction to youth studies and students will analyze the role of youth in American culture and society, focusing on the late 20th and the 21st century. We’ll look for the influence of consumerism, countercultures, and the development of technology on adolescents. From Holden Caulfield to Riot Grrrls, young men and women – both fictional and real – have frequently served as a symbol of rebellion, change, rejection of social and gender norms, and shaped what it means to be American. By examining texts of culture (movies, short stories, novels, comics, TV series) which portray adolescence and narratives created by young people, students will also learn how race, gender, and class affect representations of American youth.
Type of course
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE
Upon completing this course a student:
- has knowledge about the development of youth culture in the United States
- has knowledge of basic concepts from youth studies
- has knowledge about the role of race, gender, and class in shaping representations of American adolescents.
SKILLS
Upon completing this course a student:
- is able to critically examine media representations of youth in media (film, TV, comics, literature)
- is able to discuss the influence of consumerism and countercultures on adolescents
- is able to use a range of theoretical approaches to analyze texts of popular culture.
COMPETENCES
Upon completing this course a student:
- understands academic texts and is able to apply them to cultural analysis
- can work in groups
- can write a response paper and a short critical essay about topics covered during the course.
Assessment criteria
Class participation: 25%
Short essays/response papers: 45%
Final essay: 30%
Students need 60% to pass.
Bibliography
Readings will include (subject to change):
Primary texts: “Black Hole” by Charles Burns, “Breakfast Club” dir. John Hughes, “Riverdale” (1-2 episodes) developed by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, “Broad City” (1-2 episodes) created by Ilana Glazer & Abbi Jacobson, “Lady Bird” dir. Greta Gerwig, “Drinking at the Movies” by Julia Wertz, “Blankets” by Craig Thompson, “Love, Simon” dir. Greg Berlanti, “Sour Heart” by Jenny Zhang, “Pariah” dir. Dee Rees.
Secondary sources: “Life Narratives and Youth Culture: Representation, Agency and Participation” (2016) by Anna Poletti and Kate Douglas; “Girls: Feminine Adolescence in Popular Culture and Cultural Theory ” (2002) by Catherine Driscoll; “Huck’s Raft: A History of American Childhood” (2006) and “The Prime of Life: A History of Modern Adulthood” (2015) by Steven Mintz; “Youth Cultures in the Age of Global Media” (2014) ed. by David Buckingham, Mary Jane Kehily, Bragg, Sara; “Teenage: The Creation of Youth Culture” (2007) by Jon Savage; “Queer Youth Cultures” (2008) ed. by Susan Driver.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: