Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

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SOAN0318A-S15

Theories of Celebrity

Theories of Celebrity
In this course we will explore the cultural significance of the concept "celebrity" from a variety of theoretical perspectives. We will draw from a range of examples, including the history of Hollywood, the branding of sport stars, the rise of reality television, YouTube fame, and celebrity gossip, to examine the structures of power and inequality the celebrity phenomenon and its commodification embody. We will use theoretical concepts such as hegemony, the spectacle, mechanical reproduction, the panopticon, hyperreality, microcelebrity, postmodernity, and neoliberalism to analyze the extraordinary rise of a visual culture based on the production and consumption of celebrity. (Formerly SOAN 0281) (SOAN 0105) 3 hrs. sem.
Course Reference Number (CRN):
22249
Subject Code:
SOAN
Course Number:
0318
Section Identifier:
A

Course

SOAN 0318

All Sections in Spring 2015

Spring 2015

SOAN0318A-S15 Seminar (Tiger)
SOAN0318B-S15 Seminar (Tiger)