STYLE HISTORY AND WESTERN POPULAR CULTURE

Catalog description

What is the definition of style? What is cool, and who defines it and when? This course examines the history of style and its evolution, shaped by popular culture. Popular culture is defined by music, fashion, architecture, graphic design, home decoration, media, fine art, politics, technology, historical events or economic highs and lows, among other things. Events of our culture influence the design of products and vice versa. This is referred to as the “zeitgeist” – the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown through the ideas and beliefs of the time. This course examines 19th, 20th and 21st century style and popular culture, identifying what defined the context of the era. Students are encouraged to explore their own perspectives and experiences of popular style culture based on the parameters and themes established during the lecture. Global cultural experiences, subcultures or nuanced understandings of cultural style are welcomed.