MODULE WEEK NO.

Salay Community College

Salay, Misamis Oriental
Member: Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU)
09177092134, [email protected]

College of Education
GE- Elective 1: Philippine Popular culture
1st Semester of A.Y. 2022-2023

Introduction
In this module you are going to explore the commonly used & known theory of
Popular Culture in the modern world. It is but relevant to deal with this right
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away so you can recognize the significance of this concept and why there is a
need to study & understand this in the first place.

Rationale

Describe the commonly known & used Theories of Popular Culture in the modern
world.

Intended Learning Outcomes

A. Recognize the different theories written about Popular Culture & its impact on
the history & society.

B. Retrieve auto-historical ideas &/or understanding about Popular Culture.

Along with some theories associated therein

Activity

Searching Ideas concerning Popular Culture:

The task to search and remember varying ideas of Pop Culture.

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Discussion

Philippine Popular Culture ( GE elective 1 )

Jugie J. Tabas
Instructor
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Before we can go directly to the task on how to define and analyse popular culture in the context
which is clear and distinctive it is but important that right at this moment we accept the reality
that it is actually a daunting task to define it or even make an attempt to do so. However due to
its impact and influence to the modern world, it is necessary regardless of its ambiguity,
subjectivity and vagueness to at least take a visit on its context & appreciate its value to the
contemporary society. Confronted with the challenges on studying “Popular Culture” it is always
the best option to deconstruct first the words and terms enter twined on its construction. Let’s
begin by answering these important questions: What is popular? What is culture? & How is
ideology related to it?

What is Popular?

Raymond Willams ( 1976 )

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Amazon .com Versobooks.com
“….popular was being seen from the point of view of the people rather than from those seeking
favour or power from them.”

In this definition we can clearly see the coherence of the meaning of the term “popular” from where it
came into being. From the latin word “popularis” it simply means belonging to the population or from the
large population which consequently refers to the masses. In other words there is always a connotation
of a well-liked, widely favoured or carried on by the whole people when referring to the term in its purest
sense. In one way or another we can speak of “popular” as the people’s culture something like a “box
office hit” “trending” or a “common norm”. However in a complex society, there is always an interaction
between the dominant and submissive class where the identification of these groups as well as their role
seems very controversial. Given this complexity of social behaviours there is still a need to figure out who
among these division belongs to the “mass” and how such group influenced their community. With such
challenges, we are again confronted with the dilemma of who among the social class has the greatest
influence on the society? Is it the higher or the lower class? And finally to what extent or degree does this
influence impacts the society?
All of these difficulty might compromise our study but for the sake of understanding, let’s consider the
actions of the inferior or lower class to be of value when we speak of “popular”. This is because by virtue
of number they consist the majority of the population and any common actions taken by this group
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creates great impact to their community as well.

High Culture vs Low Culture

Acceptable Popular
Wealthy Marginalized
Prestigious Common
Elite Masses
Few / Selected Majority
Socialites Epal / korney

What is Culture?

John Storey (2004)

Taylorfrancis.com Stargate wiki.com
“…it is a practice of making & communicating meanings. Culture is not in the object but in the
experience of the object: how we make it meaningful, what we do with it, how we value it….”
The basic term comes from the latin word “colere” a term used to mean “ cultivation”. It is a word
that describes growing things, producing something or simply culturing & producing. However
when this term is associated with human endeavours as in the social context, It is actually a set
of practices, a manifestation of tradition which has become symbolic & significant to human

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existence. In addition to this, culture is an active process of human efforts, dynamic, unstable,
broad, unfix & moving. Moreover, it does not lie dormant on things but is constantly evolving to
suit the needs of times.

The following are 3 broad definitions of culture

1) Evolutional process - general process of intellectual, spiritual & aesthetic development.

2) Lived /cultural practices - a particular way of life, whether of a people, a period or a group.
3) Signifying practices/activity - the works of the intellectuals or their artistic activities.

It is in this broad terms that John Storey(2004) made his endearing conclusion of considering
culture as an “Empty” conceptual category which according to him can just be filled in by a wide
variety of conflicting ideas & ways oftentimes dependent on the context it is actually being used.
In other words, there are no guarantee that everyone will come up with an agreed or common
functional definitions of the term “culture”. Its meaning remains subjective, contextual or even
changing which is always open and dependent to the needs of the changing world. Culture so to
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speak is a practice of shared meanings and can just be filled in by the one who wants to use it to
compliment the need.
.
Main arguments of Popular Culture:
1. Non-permanent ( unstable, evolving)
2. Shifting ( changes through time)
3. Confusing & contradictory ( many meanings, dependent)
4. Empty category ( can be used in various ways )
5. Implied “ otherness “ (many form, claimants )

What is Ideology?

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The concept of ideology can never be separated from the discourse of this study hence its
features are crucially embedded on understanding popular culture on a larger scale. It is
therefore decisive enough to examine it first before we even arrive to the core of this subject.
Ideology in whatever nature serves as the backbone of popular culture

Different definitions of ideology: It is a set of ideas that ……

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1) Articulate accepted knowledge.

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 These are set of ideas that are publicly articulated by a group of people in the
society. This declarations are the commonly accepted and agreed upon by the
society. These includes public documents, constitutions, advocacies & trust of
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professionals & other legal proclamations. (Ex. Doctor’s ideology is to save lives,
lawyers are to bring justice, and teacher’s bring knowledge. Etc.)

2) Create false consciousness.

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 These are set of values which in effect conceals power as in “Hegemony”. The
dominant class overpowers the others by conditioning their counterparts to believe
into something that is unreal or artificially created in order to continue their power
or to remain enjoying their special place in the society. The powerful elite disguised
themselves to hang on to such ideas so as not to encounter any resistance or
conflict from the controlled group or class. (Ex. Women are born weak, Blacks are
meant to be slaved, Men are strong / head of the family etc.)

3) Present a particular image.

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Yahoonews.com

 These are set of consciousness which can be found in forms or text. Any
responsibilities, performances, activities that we do everyday are said to be part of
an ideology. In addition any publications, text, drama or even “oracion” in its tiniest
form are all part of an ideology. It is therefore enough to say that there is nothing or
no one is free from any ideology for that matter. (ex. Christians going to mass,
student reading a book, mothers cooking a food, etc. )
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4) Present a subconscious connotation or myth

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 These are subconscious level of ideas attached to our associated with things. As in
advertisements , promotions or any kind of marketing strategies implemented by a
group of people or company to create an “out of this world experience” devoid or
overstating the real or actual happenings we can encounter in this world. ( ex.
Langhap pinoy, We find ways, Its more fun in…., etc.)

5) Represent material practices.

A moment of yoga-sherryrobert

 These are peaceful performances in our daily life. Unlike in creating an image,
these activities are “not imposed”, meaning it does not come from a particular
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groupings or religious associations or a responsibility but more of a personal /
individual advocacy. These are just simple celebrations like embracing nature and
forms of relaxations. (ex. Exercising in gym. Running in the park, shopping in a
mall, etc.)

What is
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In the previous topics, we explored the different terms associated with popular culture hoping
that from this exposure we can derive a common acceptable definition of the concept. Now let us
take a deeper examination on its key elements in order to draw a better more profound
perspective upon its nature.
1. Popular culture is considered to be the culture “well-liked by the people”. Although it may
presents a controversy on how the data is gathered whether it is in a form of a survey,
popularity rate or any other social measurement, the question of its authenticity &
reliability is always at its forefront. Sometimes the dissemination of information is also
influenced by the aristocrats and many which are made popular are only because of
money, influence or even by inflicting force. Nonetheless what is already there shall be
there, which simply means that no matter how we conceal things if it has already come
out into the open and been accepted by the people then it will be part of what we known
as popular culture.

2. Popular culture is a “Residual culture”. Some people would think of it as a left out culture
wherein we have to decide first what is an elite behaviour, a standard that belongs to the
few educated aristocratic rich classification in the society. What is left from this selection
would be the residual practices highly patronized by the bigger population of the lower
class or masses.

3. Popular culture is a “Mass culture”. It is understood that because the low class comprises
the largest number of people so then popular culture is always attributed to the lower
class in the society. Although it is consumed by the large number of individuals or the
public, it always bears the connotations of culture with less substance like “korney” or “ no
class” or “ …ewwww”.

4. Popular culture will always be confronted with the “struggle against the hegemons” These
are the super powers in the institutions who would tend to bully the weak, defy the
subordinates & trample the majority. This clashes will forever be present and so shall
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threaten the very extent popular culture be manifested upon the people.

5. Lastly, popular culture was developed in a “postmodern society” associated by capitalist

world. From people’s normal lifestyle going to the world of economic progress
encompassing the commercialism, fashion circulars & materialism. All these made
popular culture an interesting body of knowledge that needs to be explored and
understand in order to realize its unique role in the contemporary society.

Assignment (third activity) 60 points

In this module you are exposed to the definitions &/or terms of

popular culture. With its many varying misleading definitions, it created
ambiguities & biases which posed a big challenge on your part as a learner who wish
to establish a concrete meaning of this term. As a resolution, popular culture is
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discussed using its various ways in order to grasp the main content of this subject
matter.

Using the following lessons, state your own generalization or understanding of the
term & relate it to the actual application of your daily life. Remember and search an
image/picture of your pop idol (politician, military personnel, international/local
artist, singer etc.)Copy the expression, fashion, attire or gestures found on that
picture. Take a picture of yourself and paste it beside your idol’s image. Label it
dreamed reality vs. Actual reality. Make an explanation why you chose him as
your preferred pop idol, what are the qualities, achievements and other features
that made you idolized him. This activity (posting your collage picture will be given
60 items. You will present this activity next meeting in front of your classmates
holding the image of your picture so with your idol/s. Good luck!

Reflection (do not submit)

1. What is the importance of popular culture?

2. Do you agree or consent to be just being dominated?
3. Is this power to consent always liberating?

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References:

Farganis,J.(2008).Readings in social theory.1221 Avenue, New York, USA, The Mc Graw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Storey,J.(2004).Cultural theory & popular culture : An introduction. Retrieved 28 August 2020 @

www.persones.co.uk/storey.

Williams,R.(1976).A vocabulary of culture & society. London,Fontana. Retrieved 28 August 2020

@https://www.tagg.org/others/popdefrwilliams.html#:~:text='Popular'%20was%20being%20seen
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