54.2k views
2 votes
According to author Marcel Danesi, a society's culture is sometimes divided into high and low, on the basis of preferences within the system that are associated with

differences in social class, education, and other variables. Pop culture, on the other hand...
should not be considered part of a society's culture.
O makes little, if any, such categorical distinctions.
O also makes distinctions based on social class, education, and other variables.

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

Pop culture makes fewer distinctions based on social class and is accessible by most people in society, contrasting with high culture's association with the elite class. Over time, cultural elements can shift between these categories, as seen in the works of Shakespeare. The interaction between various forms of culture and social class influences can also perpetuate existing social inequalities.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to author Marcel Danesi, society's culture is often divided into high and low categories based on social class, education, and other factors. High culture is linked with elite preferences, intellectualism, and prestige, involving activities like attending a ballet or a symphony. On the contrary, pop culture is considered as the pattern of cultural experiences prevalent among the mainstream. It is inclusive and spans across different societal classes, making categorical distinctions less prominent. Pop culture manifests through media and events like sports games, television shows, and music that are readily accessible to most people. However, the nuances between high and pop culture can shift over time, as highlighted by the shifts in the categorization of Shakespeare's works from popular to high culture.

Pop culture's accessibility and the broad acceptance it receives make it central to the everyday experiences of individuals in society. Yet, it's also worth noting that there is an interaction between elements of high, low, and pop culture, potentially influencing social class reproduction as analyzed by Pierre Bourdieu. Bourdieu's concept of cultural capital highlights how access to cultural knowledge can influence social mobility and education systems, continuing cycles of inequality within social classes.

User Monie
by
7.9k points