Summer Quarter, 2021
Tuesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
A. Persuasion in Popular Culture Irv Rein, Professor, Communication Studies Tuesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Popular culture figures are some of the most powerful and persuasive on the planet. This course will challenge you to think critically about media darlings, commercial fads, social movements, and appeals to targeted and mass audiences. Each lecture will be accompanied by relevant, visual examples. By examining the hot topics of yesterday and today, we will answer some crucial questions. How is popular culture defined, and what is its relationship to persuasion? Who are the real creators of popular culture? How does it impact us on a daily basis? What are the key elements and theories of what works and what doesn’t? The course tackles a wide range of persuasive strategies, from traditional to cutting-edge, that can affect every aspect of daily life. The music you hear, the car you drive, the food you buy – they are all vying for your attention and devotion.