Popular Culture - 2020-21 Graduate Catalog

Director: Susana Peña
Graduate Coordinator: Jeffrey A. Brown
Address: 245 Shatzel Hall
Phone: 419-372-2796
Email: popc@bgsu.edu
Program Web Page: http://www.bgsu.edu/arts-and-sciences/cultural-and-critical-studies/popular-culture/graduate-program.html

Degrees Offered
Master of Arts

Program Offered
M.A. in Popular Culture

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Master's degree, students in the Popular Culture program are expected to be able to:

• Interpret and critically evaluate specific case studies in diverse cultural and historical contexts using fundamental concepts, major debates, and methods of analysis of the global phenomenon of popular culture with theories of race, class, sexuality, gender, and disability [Comprehensive Exam]
• Produce a research project of publishable quality with a rigorous argument and strong theoretical basis that demonstrates engagement with contemporary scholarly discourse. [thesis]
• Develop and communicate (verbally and in writing) clear, persuasive, and sophisticated interpretations of popular culture materials and practices. [course presentations and final papers]
• Evaluate how popular culture shapes and reflects personal and social experiences, diversity in a multicultural society, and American culture’s relationship to global cultures. [required courses]

Prerequisites to Graduate Work
Admission to the M.A. program requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 3.0 accumulative GPA.

Admission Procedure
Applicants seeking admission to the M.A. program in Popular Culture should follow the instructions outlined in the Graduate Admission webpage. All application materials should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office.

In addition to filling out the Graduate Application, applicants will be asked to submit the following materials:

• a Statement of Purpose Essay, 2-to-5 typed pages, that describes your motivations for coming to graduate school, what you hope to achieve in Popular Culture Studies, your plans following the receipt of the Master's Degree, and (if requesting an assistantship) your interests in teaching and other skills that may be useful to the Department
• three (3) letters of recommendation
• a current resume/CV

For full consideration for admission and funding for the following academic year, applications should be submitted by January 14.

Please contact the POPC graduate program secretary by phoning 1-419-372-8886 or email popc@bgsu.edu with any questions about the application process.

Degree Requirements

Master of Arts
The Master of Arts in Popular Culture is an interdisciplinary program designed for students with unique academic interests who are attracted to the idea of studying with faculty from diverse fields including anthropology, folklore, Asian studies, women’s studies, American studies, ethnic studies and ethnomusicology. Students choose their own academic focus within the study of popular culture.

Students graduate from the MA in Popular Culture program with the ability to interpret media critically; effectively and conscientiously conduct ethnography and fieldwork; gain an international perspective; focus on everyday life; master theoretical traditions in the study of popular culture; and develop excellent writing and public speaking skills.

COURSES
Candidates are required to complete a minimum of 32 semester hours of graduate credit beyond the baccalaureate degree.

Required Graduate Seminars:
• POPC 6750: Theory and Methods Seminar (Fall, 1st year) 6 hours
• POPC 6600: Folklore and Folklife Seminar (Spring, 1st year) 3 hours
• POPC 6610: International Popular Culture Seminar 3 hours

Popular Culture Seminars (9 hours)

Elective or Independent Study Courses (6 hours)

Required Research Course (3 hours required):
• POPC 6910: Research for Plan II Non-Thesis 3 hours
• POPC 6990: Thesis Research 3 hours

COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
Master's candidates are required to pass a written departmental comprehensive examination in order to complete the requirements for graduation. Candidates are responsible for mastering the content of a core reading list provided to them at the beginning of their academic program, as well as that of the required core courses listed above.

THESIS AND NON-THESIS OPTIONS
The MA degree is offered under Plan I: Thesis Option or Plan II: Non-thesis Option.

Plan I: An MA thesis is required. Up to six semester hours of credit for thesis research (POPC 6990) can be applied toward the degree.

Plan II: In addition to the written comprehensive examination required by the program, each candidate in Plan II must write a project proposal, complete a project, and write a reflection paper describing how their project fits into the scholarship in that area. Up to six semester hours of credit for directed research (POPC 6910) can be applied toward the degree.

Candidates from both Plan I and Plan II select the members of their individual advisory committee in close consultation with the Popular Culture Graduate Coordinator. Each committee includes a chair from within the Department of Popular Culture and at least one other faculty member from within the Department. An optional third member can be from within or outside the Department of Popular Culture. All members of the committee must have Graduate Faculty Status. In the case of the Plan I-thesis candidates, the committee advises and approves the thesis. In the case of the Plan II-non-thesis candidates, the committee advises, approves, and evaluates the project. Students are expected to have created their committee by no later than the end of the second semester in residence in the program.

Graduate Courses
Please access graduate courses online by clicking the “Browse Course Catalog” button at http://www.bgsu.edu/registration-records/courses-and-classes/class-course-information.html . Graduate courses offered by the Department of Popular Culture use the prefix:  POPC.