Assignment Part 1:
A) See page 50 of the article by Raymond Williams entitled "Culture". At the bottom of this page there is an excerpted passage written by Marx which begins..."The dominant ideas are nothing more than the ideal expression of..." Discuss the meaning of this passage, as well as Williams' subsequent critique.
Assignment Part 2:
Discuss the ways in which the analysis of the Barry Manilow Fan Club (Thomas C. O'Guinn/Coursepack article) reflects Durkheim's concept of religion (as outlined in the lecture on 'Culture in the Classical Tradition').
Assignment Part 3:
With reference to the lecture on 'Art and Aesthetics' (Feb. 8), outline in detail the "art as a social product" perspective in the sociological studies of art and aesthetics. Discuss how and why Howard Becker, in his "Art as Collective Action" reading, critiques and moves beyond this perspective.