This course considers the social and cultural dimensions of the mass media, with a particular focus on intersections between media, audiences, and power. The course will explore the role of culture and discourse in perpetuating relationships of inequality in the globalized capitalist economy. Students will be introduced to key theoretical perspectives in media theory (such as Marxism, psychoanalysis, critical race theory, and feminist theory) which will be applied to examples from popular music, television, film, music videos, and social media. Topics explored include defining culture (and the contested distinctions between “high,” “low,” and “popular” cultures), the histories of capitalism, imperialism, and globalization, theories of the mass society, audiences in the digital era, and the ecological impacts of technology and consumerism. Lectures, group activities, and class discussion will revolve around the contemporary media landscape, whereby students will be invited to reflect upon their own daily practices of media consumption. Students will additionally engage with the theoretical perspectives and social contexts covered in the course through a final creative media project.