For this assignment you will provide a detailed discussion of a theory of pop culture and provide critical discussion of this theory. The purpose of this assignment is to help you hone your critical thinking skills. You will provide exposition and criticism of a theory of pop culture. You may choose either Mass Cultural Theory or Critical Theory.

Your essay should include some discussion of the following questions:

1. What or who determines popular culture? Where does popular culture come from? Does it emerge from the people themselves as an autonomous expression of their interests and modes of experience, or is it imposed from above by those in positions of power as a type of social control?

2. Describe how commercialization and industrialization influences popular culture. Does reducing culture to commodity mean that the criteria of profitability and marketability take precedence over quality, artistry, integrity and intellectual challenge? Or does it result in a universal market where what is popular actually corresponds to what people want and think is valuable? Does marketability and profitability actually produce quality art or does it only benefit business interests?

3. Is popular culture used to control and indoctrinate the people? Is it used to get people to accept and adhere to ideas and values which will ensure the continued dominance of a particular elite and allow them to exercise power over them? Or is popular culture about rebellion and opposition to the prevailing social order? Is pop cultural a spontaneous genuine burst of creativity or is it just a means through which a dominate group exercises control of society?

4. After you provide an accurate account of one of these theories of pop culture, you should then review the strengths and weaknesses of the theory. Can you identify some objections to the theory? You can research objections, but you need to consult reputable sources.

Specifications: 

Submit a 1000-1200 word essay addressing the questions above. 

In your essay:

• Be sure to structure your essay with an introduction paragraph that includes a thesis statement, well-organized supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion that reiterates the main points of your argument. 
• Your argument should be supported by reputable research cited in APA format both in the body of the paper and in your references section.

 A 52-year-old woman complains that she has been missing days of work almost every week. She states she is neglecting her family, and she is sleeping during the day but cannot sleep at night. She denies other health problems, medication, or environmental allergies. 

• From the information provided, list your differential diagnoses in the order of “most likely” to “possible but unlikely.”

Prompt: For this week’s assignment, you are to write an essay in which you explain your stance/perspective on a topic such as education, parenting, adoption, same-sex marriage, tuition, etc.

You must choose the essay option I have provided for this assignment. If you submit an essay that does not respond to one of the prompts, your essay will not be accepted as an appropriate response to this writing assignment; instead, you will be asked to write another essay that does respond to the prompt you were assigned.

The first draft of your Exploratory Essay (500 words minimum)

Is Wealthier Healthier?

African nations tend not to have lower health outcomes, experiencing epidemics of infectious and non-communicable diseases across the continent. There is substantial health inequality among and within many nations in Africa. Similar disparities in health also exist in Latin America. Cuba, Costa Rica, and Chile have health outcomes comparable to the United States, while Haiti’s health outcomes are comparable to the less healthy parts of Africa.

A variety of arguments can be made for the reasons why there is great health inequity in these regions. Some relate to the different colonial histories since health is transmitted inter-generationally. Colonization, neoliberal globalization, including free market, free trade, and the unrestricted flow of capital with little government influence, has resulted in large wealth inequalities. Some countries have cut their government spending on health programs, which has led to devastating health outcomes.

For this Discussion, examine countries and their health problems.

To prepare for this Discussion, review Week 10 and Week 11 Learning Resources. Select two countries with different per-capita income levels such that one could be classified as a “high income” nation and the other would not be classified in the same income category. Note: You may use The World Bank website in your Learning Resources to identify countries and their income levels.

Post a brief summary comparing the two countries and their health problems. Also, compare how the economic level and income inequality in each country influenced other social determinants (social dynamics, the status of women, education, or violence/homicide, etc.) for each country. Then, explain the impact of the determinants on the health outcome in each country. Expand on your insights utilizing the Learning Resources.

Use APA formatting for your Discussion and to cite your resources.