Cultural and Critical Studies: Popular Culture

You may hear students saying they’re majoring in popular culture. But at BGSU, popular culture is technically a specialization within the cultural and critical studies program. This means that the degree you receive at graduation will be a Bachelor of Arts in cultural and critical studies. 

Think of cultural and critical studies as the broader degree program and popular culture as the area you choose to focus your studies.

You can also pursue popular culture as a minor to complement a different major.

Popular culture includes the movies, music, television, books, sports, video games, internet culture and other media that shape everyday life. In the popular culture specialization, you’ll explore how popular culture reflects and shapes society, values and the way people interact with the world.

You’ll study popular culture in U.S. and international contexts. Because the specialization is interdisciplinary, you’ll examine these topics through perspectives from multiple fields such as American culture, anthropology, ethnic studies, Asian studies, folklore and women’s studies. You’ll also explore connections between popular media, society, commerce and art.

You’ll develop critical thinking, research, analysis and communication skills that are useful across a wide range of careers. You’ll learn to analyze diverse sources, conduct qualitative research, communicate through public speaking and clear writing, and develop nuanced ways of understanding the changing culture in which we live and work.

Graduates have careers in media firms, the music industry, radio and television stations, public relations and the nonprofit sector. Graduates also work as consultants, educators and business professionals.

Career paths include popular culture critic, arts reviewer, television executive, magazine editor, public relations specialist, museum curator, journalist, author and arts administrator.

Many students also combine the specialization with a minor in journalism, telecommunications, film, creative writing, graphic design, digital arts or marketing to prepare for careers in media and entertainment.

Popular culture students are encouraged to pursue internships. Students in the specialization have completed internships at organizations including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Emmy Awards, E! Entertainment, MTV, Marvel Comics, Disney World, advertising agencies, music recording companies, entertainment magazines, folk festivals, music performance venues, libraries, and art and historical museums.

You can also learn from BGSU's world-class popular culture resources:

• The Browne Popular Culture Library included the most comprehensive archive of its kind in the United States.
• The Music Library & Bill Schurk Sound Archives is the largest academic collection of popular music in North America.