Clemson University TigerPrints All Theses Theses 5-2008 Medination: Pop Culture and the Classroom Justin Lesniewski Clemson University,
[email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses Part of the Rhetoric and Composition Commons Recommended Citation Lesniewski, Justin, "Medination: Pop Culture and the Classroom" (2008). All Theses. 343. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/343 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Theses by an authorized administrator of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. MEDINATION: POP CULTURE AND THE CLASSROOM A Thesis Presented to the Graduate School of Clemson University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts Professional Communication by Justin M. Lesniewski May 2008 Accepted by: Dr. Cynthia Haynes, Committee Chair Dr. Jan Rune Holmevik Dr. Teresa Fishman i ABSTRACT This manuscript examines theoretical and practical concerns regarding the use of pop culture items in educational environments. By utilizing an ideological social constructionist perspective, such items can be seen as reified objects of thought and power. This discussion considers the reification process, our growing control over it in an increasingly techno-literate society, a specific example of the process, and how this process and our control over it can be incorporated into the classroom. The intent is to provide both a theoretical foundation and practical suggestions. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page TITLE PAGE....................................................................................................................i ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................ii CHAPTER I. WHEN SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION MEETS POP CULTURE: REAL AND “REALER” ………………………......1 II. REIFICATION AND COMMUNICATION: LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF…THOUGHTS..........................................13 III.