Readings are arranged thematically and are supported with activities and assignments.

Covers a broad scope of topics in the field of popular culture, with chapters on advertising, television, popular music, cyberculture, sports, movies, and leisure.

Discusses the phenomenon of popular culture and the overall importance of its study.

Features 'casebooks' on certain pop-cultural phenomena, such as the Barbie Doll, rap and hip-hop music, horror movies and virtual communities.

Provides detailed instruction in thinking critically and writing persuasively about pop-cultural issues.

NEW--Features a timely chapter on cyberculture, the internet, and the information revolution.

NEW--Keeps up with the rapidly-evolving field of pop-culture with a number of new essays, including:

• The 'pro-advertising' perspective.
• Pop/hip-hop group Rage Against the Machine, and the rock band Hootie and the Blowfish.
• President Bill Clinton's speech at the opening session of the 1995 Family and Media Conference dealing with the important and politically sensitive issues of standards and censorship in television.
• The popular sitcom 'Seinfeld,' focusing on the absurdity humans unconsciously create and deal with in everyday life.