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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to the textbook authors, what is the best way to study popular phenomena?

2. What does the essay "Braveheart, Babe and the Contemporary Body" by Susan Bordo examine?

3. How does semiotic interpretation of an advertisement help the customers?

4. What is the essay, "Creating the Myth" about?

5. What does Susan Douglas examine in her essay"Signs of Intelligent Life on TV?"

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the Democracy of Goods according to Marchand?

2. When did the Energizer bunny ad appear? How is it a cultural icon in terms of success?

3. What is the earliest sign of American consumption of "more?" When did that happen?

4. What archetype does the movie Pretty Woman represent? What are the archetypes for the hero (Richard Gere) and the heroine (Julia Roberts)?

5. How do advertisements perpetuate gender stereotyping?

6. What are some examples of popular culture?

7. According to the authors, what are the advantages of writing about popular culture?

8. What is the paradigm presented by Robert Ray in the "The Thematic Paradigm?"

9. What is the first step in semiotic writing as recommended by the authors?

10. What is an archetype? Give two examples.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does inferential racism and sexism affect student athletes? Taking black athletes--both men and women--as well as white women as examples, do a semiotic analysis of the image they project and its connection to inferential racism and sexism that is prevalent in the society.

Essay Topic 2

Lippard, in her essay "Alternating Currents," claims that many, especially women who were raised in the country, come to the city to break away from family. She posits that moving a city represents a break with the family values. Do you agree with that position? What are possible motivations to move to the city?

Essay Topic 3

Explain your perception of what the American dream is and what it means to you to be an American. Write a position paper on the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) people's rights to achieve the American dream.

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