FYS 1263 - Philosophy and Pop Culture

Credits: 4
Socrates is well known for the assertion that an “unexamined life is not worth living for a human being.” Keeping this in mind, we will critically examine the ways in which philosophical ideas have been taken up and explored in popular (or mass) culture. We will give particular attention to the ways that philosophical topics like the good life, justice, punishment, morality, truth, and knowledge are considered in music, television, novels, movies, and social media. Additionally, we will explore questions such as “what is pop culture?”; “what purpose does pop culture serve?”; and “what impact does pop culture have on our contemporary society?”

 
McDaniel Plan: First Year Seminar