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Folk and Popular Folk and Popular Culture Culture Chapter 4 Chapter 4

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Folk and Popular Culture. Chapter 4. Introduction. Why do people living in different locations have such different social customs? How are social customs related to the cultural landscape? - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Folk and Popular Culture

Folk and Popular Folk and Popular CultureCulture

Chapter 4Chapter 4

Page 2: Folk and Popular Culture

IntroductionIntroduction

• Why do people living in different locations Why do people living in different locations have such different social customs?have such different social customs?

• How are social customs related to the How are social customs related to the cultural landscape?cultural landscape?

• Folk culture-Folk culture- culture traditionally practiced culture traditionally practiced by a small, homogeneous, rural group living by a small, homogeneous, rural group living in relative isolation from other groupsin relative isolation from other groups

• Popular culture-Popular culture- culture found in a large, culture found in a large, heterogeneous society that shares certain heterogeneous society that shares certain habits despite differences in other personal habits despite differences in other personal characteristicscharacteristics

Page 3: Folk and Popular Culture

Origins of Folk and Popular Origins of Folk and Popular CultureCulture

• Social customs originate at a Social customs originate at a hearthhearth (center (center of innovation)of innovation)

• The hearths of folk customs are often The hearths of folk customs are often unknown (who, when, and where)unknown (who, when, and where)

• Popular culture is usually a product of Popular culture is usually a product of MDCs, esp. North America, Western MDCs, esp. North America, Western Europe, and JapanEurope, and Japan

• Ex.’s pop music and fast foodEx.’s pop music and fast food

– MDCs have MDCs have technologytechnology to mass produce and to mass produce and the the leisure timeleisure time to enjoy pursuits other than to enjoy pursuits other than food productionfood production

Page 4: Folk and Popular Culture

Folk vs. Popular MusicFolk vs. Popular Music

• Difference b/w folk and popular music exemplify Difference b/w folk and popular music exemplify the differences b/w folk and pop culturethe differences b/w folk and pop culture

• Folk music usually has unknown origins and tells Folk music usually has unknown origins and tells stories of everyday daily activities such as stories of everyday daily activities such as farming, or mysterious events such as farming, or mysterious events such as earthquakesearthquakes

• Popular music is written and produced by Popular music is written and produced by specific individuals to be mass produced and soldspecific individuals to be mass produced and sold– Org. around 1900 in NYCOrg. around 1900 in NYC– Really began to spread around the world during WWIIReally began to spread around the world during WWII– Hip Hop is popular music that has a folk appeal to itHip Hop is popular music that has a folk appeal to it

Page 5: Folk and Popular Culture

Diffusion of Folk and Diffusion of Folk and Popular CulturesPopular Cultures

• Popular culture usually spreads thru Popular culture usually spreads thru hierarchical diffusionhierarchical diffusion

• In the US the nodes would be Hollywood, In the US the nodes would be Hollywood, and Madison Avenue in NYCand Madison Avenue in NYC– Diffuses rapidly because of modern Diffuses rapidly because of modern

communication and transportationcommunication and transportation

• Folk culture is transmitted more slowly thru Folk culture is transmitted more slowly thru relocation diffusion (product of migration) relocation diffusion (product of migration) – Hip hop considered pop rather than folk because Hip hop considered pop rather than folk because

it diffuses thru electronicsit diffuses thru electronics

Page 6: Folk and Popular Culture

The Amish: Relocation The Amish: Relocation Diffusion of Folk CultureDiffusion of Folk Culture

• Have distinctive clothing, farming, and Have distinctive clothing, farming, and religious practicesreligious practices

• Leave a distinctive mark on the cultural Leave a distinctive mark on the cultural landscapelandscape

• First came to US in 1700s, most to First came to US in 1700s, most to Penn., but also to OH, IL, and IowaPenn., but also to OH, IL, and Iowa

• Diffused slowly to other parts of the US Diffused slowly to other parts of the US in search of cheap farmlandin search of cheap farmland

• Now have distinctive settlements in 17 Now have distinctive settlements in 17 statesstates

Page 7: Folk and Popular Culture
Page 8: Folk and Popular Culture

Sports: Hierarchical Sports: Hierarchical Diffusion of Popular Diffusion of Popular

CultureCulture• Unfortunately and Unfortunately and

inexplicably , soccer is inexplicably , soccer is the World’s most the World’s most popular sportpopular sport

• Early form originated Early form originated around the eleventh around the eleventh century in Englandcentury in England

• Changed from folk Changed from folk culture to popular culture to popular culture in the 1800sculture in the 1800s

• Clubs were founded by Clubs were founded by factories and churches factories and churches to provide recreation to provide recreation for workers for workers

Page 9: Folk and Popular Culture

continuedcontinued

• 1863 rules were standardized in 1863 rules were standardized in Great Britain and soccer became a Great Britain and soccer became a part of pop. Culturepart of pop. Culture

• Soccer was exported to Europe in Soccer was exported to Europe in 1870 and later to parts of the British 1870 and later to parts of the British EmpireEmpire

• All organized spectator sports are All organized spectator sports are part of pop. Culture todaypart of pop. Culture today

Page 10: Folk and Popular Culture

Isolation Promotes Cultural Isolation Promotes Cultural DiversityDiversity

• Folk customs develop through Folk customs develop through centuries of relative isolation from centuries of relative isolation from customs practiced by other groupscustoms practiced by other groups– Ex. Himalayan ArtEx. Himalayan Art

• Read about it p. 120Read about it p. 120

Page 11: Folk and Popular Culture

Influence of the Physical Influence of the Physical EnvironmentEnvironment

• Environmental determinismEnvironmental determinism– Belief that physical environment caused Belief that physical environment caused

all human activitiesall human activities• Not accepted as true today –Not accepted as true today –possibilismpossibilism

• Environment is only one of several Environment is only one of several controls over social customscontrols over social customs

Page 12: Folk and Popular Culture

continuedcontinued

• Customs such as provision of food, clothing Customs such as provision of food, clothing , and shelter are clearly influenced by the , and shelter are clearly influenced by the climate, soil, and vegetation of a placeclimate, soil, and vegetation of a place

• Folk cultures are particularly influenced by Folk cultures are particularly influenced by the environment because they lack the environment because they lack technology to overcome ittechnology to overcome it

• Broad differences in folk culture arise in Broad differences in folk culture arise in part due to physical conditionspart due to physical conditions

• Food and shelter can be used to Food and shelter can be used to demonstrate the influence of cultural demonstrate the influence of cultural values and the environment on the values and the environment on the development of folk culturedevelopment of folk culture

Page 13: Folk and Popular Culture

Distinctive Food Distinctive Food PreferencesPreferences

• Folk food habits derive from the environmentFolk food habits derive from the environment• We eat plants and animals that live and grow in We eat plants and animals that live and grow in

the areas we livethe areas we live• In areas where cooking fuel is scarce, cultures In areas where cooking fuel is scarce, cultures

come up with clever ways to use the food without come up with clever ways to use the food without much cookingmuch cooking

• Terroir-Terroir- the contribution of a location’s the contribution of a location’s distinctive physical features to the way food distinctive physical features to the way food tastestastes– often used to describe wineoften used to describe wine

• How the soil and climate effect the taste of wine grown in How the soil and climate effect the taste of wine grown in certain regionscertain regions

Page 14: Folk and Popular Culture

continuedcontinued

• Food customs are also influenced by Food customs are also influenced by cultural valuescultural values

• Ethnicity and religious beliefs effect Ethnicity and religious beliefs effect what people eatwhat people eat

• Food Food taboostaboos exist in many religions exist in many religions• A restriction on behavior imposed by a A restriction on behavior imposed by a

social customsocial custom– Ex. Muslims and Jews don’t eat porkEx. Muslims and Jews don’t eat pork– Just so happens that pigs are suited to live on the Just so happens that pigs are suited to live on the

Arabian peninsula and is not suited for pastoral Arabian peninsula and is not suited for pastoral societies of Eastern Med. Seasocieties of Eastern Med. Sea

Page 15: Folk and Popular Culture

continuedcontinued

• Food attractions also existFood attractions also exist– Often thought to enhance desirable Often thought to enhance desirable

qualitiesqualities• Ex. Aphrodisiacs Ex. Aphrodisiacs

– Rhino horn powder, Spanish Fly, chocolateRhino horn powder, Spanish Fly, chocolate

Page 16: Folk and Popular Culture

Folk HousingFolk Housing

• Folk housing is a product of cultural Folk housing is a product of cultural tradition and natural conditionstradition and natural conditions

• Obviously, building materials are Obviously, building materials are influenced by what is available in the influenced by what is available in the surrounding environmentsurrounding environment

• Size and number of windows, and Size and number of windows, and the pitch of the roof are often the pitch of the roof are often environmental concerns as wellenvironmental concerns as well

Page 17: Folk and Popular Culture

continuedcontinued

• Form of some houses might reflect Form of some houses might reflect religious valuesreligious values– Ex. Sacred walls or corners Ex. Sacred walls or corners

• In parts of China the NW wall is sacredIn parts of China the NW wall is sacred

• In Madagascar furniture In Madagascar furniture arrangement in the home is arrangement in the home is influenced by religious valuesinfluenced by religious values

Page 18: Folk and Popular Culture
Page 19: Folk and Popular Culture

US Folk House FormsUS Folk House Forms

• Older houses in US display local folk-Older houses in US display local folk-culture traditionsculture traditions

• As people moved west, they built homes As people moved west, they built homes similar to where they came from on the similar to where they came from on the East CoastEast Coast

• 3 major hearths of folk home forms in US3 major hearths of folk home forms in US

1.1. New EnglandNew England

2.2. Middle AtlanticMiddle Atlantic

3.3. Lower ChesapeakeLower Chesapeake

Page 20: Folk and Popular Culture

New EnglandNew England

• 4 major house 4 major house types popular in types popular in 1818thth and 19 and 19thth centuriescenturies

• Can be found in Can be found in Great Lakes Great Lakes Region todayRegion today

Page 21: Folk and Popular Culture

Middle AtlanticMiddle Atlantic

• Major type known Major type known as an “I-house”as an “I-house”– 2 stories with 2 stories with

gables on the sidesgables on the sides– Only one room Only one room

deep and at least deep and at least two rooms widetwo rooms wide

• Found in the Ohio Found in the Ohio Valley and in the Valley and in the MidwestMidwest

Page 22: Folk and Popular Culture

Lower ChesapeakeLower Chesapeake

• Also known as Tidewater styleAlso known as Tidewater style• Typically one story with a steep roof Typically one story with a steep roof

and chimneys at either endand chimneys at either end• Spread down the SE coastSpread down the SE coast• Houses in wet areas were often built Houses in wet areas were often built

on piers to raise it above possible on piers to raise it above possible floodingflooding

Page 23: Folk and Popular Culture

Why is Popular Culture Why is Popular Culture Widely Distributed?Widely Distributed?

• Pop culture varies more in time than Pop culture varies more in time than in place because it diffuses rapidly to in place because it diffuses rapidly to places with a sufficiently high level places with a sufficiently high level of economic development to acquire of economic development to acquire the material possessions associated the material possessions associated with pop culturewith pop culture

Page 24: Folk and Popular Culture

Diffusion of Popular Diffusion of Popular HousingHousing

• Housing styles built since the 940s Housing styles built since the 940s demonstrate how popular customs demonstrate how popular customs vary more in time than in placevary more in time than in place

• Since the end of WWII two Since the end of WWII two architectural styles have dominated architectural styles have dominated in the USin the US

1.1. Modern (1945-60)Modern (1945-60)

2.2. Neo-eclectic (since 1960)Neo-eclectic (since 1960)

Page 25: Folk and Popular Culture

Modern House StylesModern House Styles

• Specific types of modern house styles Specific types of modern house styles were popular at different timeswere popular at different times

• Late 1940s and early 1950s Late 1940s and early 1950s minimal minimal transitionaltransitional was the dominant style was the dominant style

• Late 50s into the 60s the Late 50s into the 60s the ranchranch style style house dominatedhouse dominated

• Between the 50s and 70s the Between the 50s and 70s the split-split-levellevel become popular become popular

Page 26: Folk and Popular Culture

Neo-Eclectic House Neo-Eclectic House StylesStyles

• Become popular in Become popular in the 60s and passes the 60s and passes modern styles in modern styles in the 70sthe 70s

Page 27: Folk and Popular Culture

Rapid Diffusion of Clothing Rapid Diffusion of Clothing StylesStyles

• In MDCs clothing habits often reflect In MDCs clothing habits often reflect occupations rather than particular occupations rather than particular environmentsenvironments

• Businessmen wear different clothes Businessmen wear different clothes than factory workersthan factory workers

• Higher income is also a big influence on Higher income is also a big influence on clothing in MDCsclothing in MDCs– Women’s clothing styles change every yearWomen’s clothing styles change every year

• Therefore, they update their wardrobe more Therefore, they update their wardrobe more often if they can afford itoften if they can afford it

Page 28: Folk and Popular Culture

Popular Food CustomsPopular Food Customs

• Consumption of large quantities of Consumption of large quantities of alcoholic bev. and snack foods are alcoholic bev. and snack foods are characteristic of popular societies characteristic of popular societies – Regional differences are based upon Regional differences are based upon

what is produced locally what is produced locally andand cultural cultural backgrounds (esp. religion)backgrounds (esp. religion)

Page 29: Folk and Popular Culture
Page 30: Folk and Popular Culture

Role of Television in Role of Television in Diffusing Popular CultureDiffusing Popular Culture

• Television is an important pop. Television is an important pop. Custom for 2 reasonsCustom for 2 reasons

1.1. Most popular leisure activity in Most popular leisure activity in MDCsMDCs

2.2. Most important mechanism by Most important mechanism by which knowledge of popular which knowledge of popular culture is rapidly diffused across culture is rapidly diffused across EarthEarth

Page 31: Folk and Popular Culture

Diffusion of Television and Diffusion of Television and InternetInternet

• In 1954 the US had 86% of TVs in the In 1954 the US had 86% of TVs in the World, UK 9%, USSR 2%, Canada 2%, World, UK 9%, USSR 2%, Canada 2%, and the remainder were divided among and the remainder were divided among Cuba, Mexico, France, and BrazilCuba, Mexico, France, and Brazil

• By 1970 rapid growth in ownership in By 1970 rapid growth in ownership in Europe brought the US % down to 25%Europe brought the US % down to 25%– Half the world still had little or no Half the world still had little or no

broadcasting (Africa and Asia)broadcasting (Africa and Asia)

Page 32: Folk and Popular Culture

continuedcontinued

Page 33: Folk and Popular Culture

continuedcontinued

• Diffusion of the internet followed a Diffusion of the internet followed a similar pattern, just at a much faster pacesimilar pattern, just at a much faster pace

• 1995, 25 million of the 40 million internet 1995, 25 million of the 40 million internet users in the World were in the USusers in the World were in the US

• By 2000, there were 400 million users, By 2000, there were 400 million users, 31% of which were in the US31% of which were in the US

• Right now only about 10% of users are in Right now only about 10% of users are in LDCs, but that is expected to increase LDCs, but that is expected to increase rapidlyrapidly

Page 34: Folk and Popular Culture
Page 35: Folk and Popular Culture

Government Control of Government Control of TelevisionTelevision

• In US, most stations are owned by In US, most stations are owned by corporations that receive licenses from the corporations that receive licenses from the gov. (make profits by selling advertisements)gov. (make profits by selling advertisements)– Some stations are owned by nonprofits or local Some stations are owned by nonprofits or local

gov. and are used for educational programsgov. and are used for educational programs

• This pattern is found in Western hemisphere This pattern is found in Western hemisphere countries, but is rare in the rest of the Worldcountries, but is rare in the rest of the World

• In most developed countries broadcasting is In most developed countries broadcasting is done by a public corporation or a public-done by a public corporation or a public-private partnershipprivate partnership

Page 36: Folk and Popular Culture

continuedcontinued• In Canada, the CBC receives gov. In Canada, the CBC receives gov.

grants, and in Britain (BBC) and Japan grants, and in Britain (BBC) and Japan (NHK) the broadcasting company gets (NHK) the broadcasting company gets a license fee from TV ownersa license fee from TV owners– Independence from gov. interference is Independence from gov. interference is

guaranteed in their chartersguaranteed in their charters• In LDCs, direct management of TV is In LDCs, direct management of TV is

done through a gov. agencydone through a gov. agency– True in China, India, and many other True in China, India, and many other

countries in Asia, and Africacountries in Asia, and Africa• They censor TV to make sure programs will not They censor TV to make sure programs will not

contradict gov. policiescontradict gov. policies

Page 37: Folk and Popular Culture

Reduced Government Reduced Government ControlControl

• Television signals are only good for about Television signals are only good for about 60 miles60 miles

• In the past, few people could actually pick In the past, few people could actually pick up broadcasts from other countriesup broadcasts from other countries

• Cable and Satellite have made TV a force Cable and Satellite have made TV a force for political changefor political change

• Many Asian countries try to keep their Many Asian countries try to keep their citizens form obtaining dishescitizens form obtaining dishes– Dishes hastened the collapse of communism in Dishes hastened the collapse of communism in

Eastern Europe as more Western programs Eastern Europe as more Western programs were able to be seenwere able to be seen

Page 38: Folk and Popular Culture

Why Does the Globalization Why Does the Globalization of Popular Culture Cause of Popular Culture Cause

Problems?Problems?• 2 major problems2 major problems

1.1. Threatens the survival of folk Threatens the survival of folk cultureculture

2.2. Pop culture may be less responsive Pop culture may be less responsive to the diversity of local to the diversity of local environments and consequently environments and consequently may generate adverse may generate adverse environmental impactsenvironmental impacts

Page 39: Folk and Popular Culture

Threat to Folk CultureThreat to Folk Culture

• When people turn When people turn from folk culture to from folk culture to popular culture popular culture they sometimes they sometimes turn away from turn away from traditional values as traditional values as wellwell

• Can lead to Can lead to dominance of dominance of Western Western PerspectivesPerspectives

Page 40: Folk and Popular Culture

Loss of Traditional Loss of Traditional ValuesValues

• Urban people in many African and Asian Urban people in many African and Asian countries have adopted Western clothingcountries have adopted Western clothing– It has been adopted a sign of successIt has been adopted a sign of success

• Causes problems in many Middle Eastern Causes problems in many Middle Eastern countries who do not want Western countries who do not want Western influenceinfluence

• Diffusion of pop. Culture also threatens Diffusion of pop. Culture also threatens the subservience of women to men that is the subservience of women to men that is embedded in many folk customsembedded in many folk customs

Page 41: Folk and Popular Culture

continuedcontinued

• Taliban in Afghanistan did not allow Taliban in Afghanistan did not allow women to attend school, work outside the women to attend school, work outside the home, or drive a car—also could not leave home, or drive a car—also could not leave the home without a male (relative) escortthe home without a male (relative) escort

• Pop. Culture has brought ideas of legal Pop. Culture has brought ideas of legal equality and economic and social equality and economic and social opportunities to many LDCsopportunities to many LDCs

• On the negative side, “sex tours” have led On the negative side, “sex tours” have led to an increase in prostitution in South and to an increase in prostitution in South and Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia

Page 42: Folk and Popular Culture

Threat of Foreign Media Threat of Foreign Media ImperialismImperialism

• Leaders of many LDCs view influx of pop Leaders of many LDCs view influx of pop culture as a threat to independenceculture as a threat to independence– He mass media plays a big role in thisHe mass media plays a big role in this

• Esp. news-gathering organizationsEsp. news-gathering organizations

• The US, UK, and Japan dominate The US, UK, and Japan dominate television in LDCstelevision in LDCs

• LDC leaders view this as a method of LDC leaders view this as a method of economic and cultural imperialismeconomic and cultural imperialism

• American shows present American beliefs American shows present American beliefs and social formsand social forms

Page 43: Folk and Popular Culture

Western Control of the Western Control of the News MediaNews Media

• Diffusion of information to Diffusion of information to newspapers around the world are newspapers around the world are dominated by the Associated Press dominated by the Associated Press (AP) and Reuters (AP) and Reuters

• Stories that other countries get focus Stories that other countries get focus more on news of MDCsmore on news of MDCs

• Many African and Asian gov.’s Many African and Asian gov.’s criticize the idea of freedom of the criticize the idea of freedom of the presspress

Page 44: Folk and Popular Culture

Environmental Impact of Environmental Impact of Popular CulturePopular Culture

• Pop. Culture can significantly modify Pop. Culture can significantly modify or control the environmentor control the environment

• We often modify environments to We often modify environments to increase leisureincrease leisure– Ex. Golf courseEx. Golf course

• Avg. about 200 acresAvg. about 200 acres

Page 45: Folk and Popular Culture

Uniform LandscapesUniform Landscapes

• Distribution of pop. culture around the Distribution of pop. culture around the world leads to more uniform landscapesworld leads to more uniform landscapes

• Promoters of pop. culture want a Promoters of pop. culture want a uniform appearance to generate uniform appearance to generate “product recognition”“product recognition”– Ex. Diffusion of fast food restaurantsEx. Diffusion of fast food restaurants

• Look similar around the world so travelers can Look similar around the world so travelers can easily identify themeasily identify them

– Gas stations, supermarkets, and hotels follow a similar Gas stations, supermarkets, and hotels follow a similar patternpattern

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continuedcontinued

• In 1970s American, European, and In 1970s American, European, and Japanese cars all looked very Japanese cars all looked very differentdifferent

• Today they look more similar than Today they look more similar than differentdifferent

Page 47: Folk and Popular Culture

Negative Environmental Negative Environmental ImpactImpact

• 2 ways this might happen2 ways this might happen

1.1. Depletion of scarce natural Depletion of scarce natural resourcesresources

2.2. pollutionpollution

Page 48: Folk and Popular Culture

continuedcontinued

• Pop culture Pop culture demands a large demands a large amount of natural amount of natural resources to resources to manufacture manufacture certain goodscertain goods

• Minerals can be Minerals can be over mined and over mined and animals can become animals can become endangered in the endangered in the name of pop culturename of pop culture

• Pop culture Pop culture generates a high generates a high volume of waste—volume of waste—solids, liquids, and solids, liquids, and gasesgases

• Solid waste is Solid waste is particularly particularly problematicproblematic