Popular Culture challenges readers to explore, engage in, and give serious consideration to topics that are often brushed off as merely fun. The book combines original content based on current and emerging theories in the study of popular culture with a selection of articles and essays taken from a wide range of sources.

Readers will learn about the use, evolution, and significance of conventional narrative and formulaic plot structure. Through popular culture artifacts, they will explore how assumptions based on gender-related traits and abilities generate expectations.

In addition, readers will examine the simultaneous embracing of both application-based behavior and a craving for nostalgia and romance. They will investigate the cultural significance of heroes as metaphors for attitudes and behaviors that are valued by society.

Popular Culture provides an inventive way to understand and interpret popular culture and how it relates to everyday life. It clarifies what constitutes popular culture and helps readers understand the importance of formal popular culture study. Eminently suitable for courses on the topic, Popular Culture can also be used in classes on communication, 20th century history, and humanities.