Abstract
The paper explores the influence of postmodernism on religion by exploring the Judeo-Christian religious beliefs present in television cartoons. The paper discusses how the perception of religion has changed through the postmodernist lens and also demonstrates how the cartoons themselves have been transformed from a form of childhood entertainment to one where serious adult issues are explored. The paper examines the cartoons "Veggie Tales", "The Simpsons" and "South Park".

Outline:
Introduction
Religion and Child-Targeted Cartoons
Religion and Adult-Targeted Cartoons
Remarks on Crossed Worlds
Summary

From the Paper
"The influences of postmodernism within society are both diverse in nature and heavily distributed in content (Hull 57). Improvement in the ease of communications and the time taken to invest in same has led to a society in which its participants are highly decentralized, especially in respect to shared cultural commonalities such as ethnic, geographic, or religious traits. Also, while these traits still exist and persist, they are represented in non-traditional formats that demonstrate their influence on the community but are not authentic representations of the original traits themselves."

Tags:Veggie Tales, The Simpsons, South Park, adults, children

Abstract
This paper examines how "Eastern religion," also alluded to as "Eastern mysticism" and "mysticism" and the occult, along with magic and its many off-shoots, have had a considerable influence on American pop culture over the past few decades. It looks at how movies, books, and music all have been touched and enhanced by mysticism and its cousins.

Outline
Introduction to Eastern Religion, Eastern Mysticism and Magic
The Beatles and Transcendental Meditation: Rock Superstars Dipping into an Ancient Mysticism to find Peace in a World Drenched in Chaos and Materialism
Martin Scorsese and Eastern Mysticism
Harry Potter's Magic as a Mystical Force in Pop Culture

From the Paper
"For many people who came of age and got into rock music in the 1960s and 1970s, and perhaps smoked some marijuana and even experimented with LSD, their interest in eastern religion and mysticism began with the Beatles' fascination with "and association with" the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It was John Lennon and George Harrison, in particular, who embraced the Maharishi in the late 1970s and early 1980s, in the town of Rishikesh, deep in the Himalayan foothills of northern India. The media clamored for photos of the Beatles hanging out and drinking in the good vibes of this holy man in white robes who preached peace through self-awareness and higher consciousness through meditation."

Tags:harry, potter, beatles, martin, scorsese

Abstract
Rap Music has a great effect on our pop culture and race today. In fact, since the music of Elvis, various forms of music have pushed the limits of tolerance and decency in pop culture. According to some critics, rap has done this to an extent that cannot be disregarded in terms of social standards. This paper reviews the rap music genre, while also taking into consideration the impact it has on pop culture. The paper asserts that, while it is true that some rap artists have broken rules and norms not only in their music, but also in their lifestyles, it is also true that other rap musicians attempt to use their art for social uplift in pop culture.

From the Paper
"During the 1920s, urban street jive was a form of speech developed in Chicago ("Getting"). According to some historians, this is the tradition at the root of rap music as it exists today. In its current form, rap music emerged in New York City, courtesy of a Jamaican immigrant, Clive Campbell, or DJ Kool Herc, as he is also known. During the 1970's, Campbell developed this art form by mixing music from two records on two separate turntables. The beat created in this manner was accompanied by Campbell speaking to match the rhythm of the music. The first hit in this genre was created by the Sugarhill Gang in 1979, and entitled "Rappers Delight.""

Tags:rhythm, DJ, Kool, Herc

Abstract
This paper provides an insight into dolls, Theodor Adorno, pop culture and how they all tie together. The objective is to describe how Theodor Adorno's views on pop culture would apply to today's mass production of dolls, doll's images and the market for dolls in general. Through reviews of Adorno's work, it looks at how a correlation can be made that tie the many aspects of the doll making industry to the expectations of society.
Outline
Introduction
Adorno
Mass Production
Dolls
How Would Adorno Look at Dolls Made Today?
The Doll -- A Historical Function
Function in Recent Popular Culture
Conclusion

From the Paper
"To understand the modern doll industry, we must also understand the art or science of mass production. Adorno may tell us that the capitalist way of life was built on a foundation of mass marketing and mass production even though that can not provide culture. To have mass production, a system needs factories and places to sell the goods produced by those factories. Capitalism, however, is not easily satisfied with a few places, it requires an ever increasing number of plants and malls to satisfy its voracious appetite. Consider how today there is still a need for more places to build and sell the mass produced nothingness, dolls and doll houses are but one example. The current trends systematically erase resources and even history by building new shopping malls on historic battlefields or whatever land is available."

Tags:marketing, capitalism, critical, theory

Abstract
This paper clearly explains the various aspects of the Islamic religion, culture and way of life. The writer contends that the Islamic religion is in some ways the most clear-cut and simple of all the religions. Muslims submit to the will of Allah and believe that there is no god but Allah and that Mohammed is his prophet. The Koran is a very important part of Islamic life, as it instructs them what to do on a daily basis. This paper details the five rules all Muslims must follow every day of their lives which include: Faith in Allah, prayer five times a day and pilgrimage to Mecca. This paper also delves into the ideology of Islam which consists of two key aspects: a set of beliefs i.e. the creed and a system of rules regulating man's actions emanating from that creed.

From the Paper
"The Koran is a very important part of Islamic life. This is because it tells them what to do on a daily basis. It is made up of things that Mohammed said and his companions recorded by either memorization or on paper which were later gathered. In school, children study the Koran every day. Muslims believe all 114 of the Koran's suras, or chapters and study them. It discusses man's fate when he dies and gives clear direction for his behavior with his rewards and punishments for when he dies. The Koran states that a true believer must honor his parents, help the poor, protect orphans, be honorable and fair in all of his dealings, avoid strong drink, gambling, and pork, and be humble before Allah. All Muslims believe that the Koran is God's words spoken through Mohammed through the angel Gabriel. It also forbids lying, stealing, adultery, and murder. In the Koran, there are five basic rules that a Muslim must follow. They are referred to as the Five Pillars of Islam. The Five Pillars of Islam are: Belief in Allah, Prayer Five Times a Day, Almsgiving, Keeping the Fast of Ramadan, and Pilgrimage to Mecca. A Muslim must follow these five pillars every day of his life."

Tags:culture, tradition, muslim, allah, koran, religion

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that culture has many forms, through which one could define the way one lives, the way one interacts and how one perceives things. Further, the writer maintains that one is molded by cultural elements that evolve as society faces the developments of time. The writer explains that what is considered "pop culture" mostly refers to various elements in society that are most often portrayed in art, music and television. The writer focuses on the trend of reality TV. The writer concludes that one could therefore evaluate that popular culture has given birth to a not general or abstract display of people's beliefs, attitudes and emotions in the modern period. The writer claims that reality TV shows are a representation of the culture of people, a repetition of cultural pattern that may be presented in a modified manner depending on how it is perceived and accepted by the public viewers.

From the Paper
"Reality TV was mostly popular beginning 2000. Many shows were created wherein participants compete with each other in real-life situations. Other shows just simply displayed the daily home activities of an individual or group of individuals. Such shows are not scripted and do not involve professional acting. Thus, what the participants portray on the screen is real and spontaneous. Because of this, Reality TV became a hit because it portrays attitudes or behavior and actions that are reflection of what is being practiced in the real world. The fact that viewers patronize the show, it could lead to a conclusion that they can relate to what they see on their television screens. This could be an indicator of the public's familiarization of patterns of culture which is found in these reality television shows."

Tags:cultural, TV, television, emotions

Abstract
This paper discusses how from the wide range of materials teachers can use in the classroom, popular culture is one of the best sources. It looks at how students enjoy working with pop culture that they are familiar with and how some of them think that such materials are less intimidating than heavy textbooks. It shows how with appropriate use and organized application, the pop icons can be remarkable teaching tools in the classroom and how reading sources and mass produced resources are widely available in all seasons, giving teachers plentiful options.

Outline
Introduction
Popular Culture in Language (Literacy) Class
Popular Culture in Science Class
Popular Culture in Mathematics Class
Current Applications

From the Paper
"Similarly to the Batman research, the Teletubbies research was also conducted to find out how the popular series enhanced the toddlers' motivation to participate in classroom activities, on following instructions. The children's motivation throve after they knew they had to create Tubby custard. Following instruction was no problem, as long as they knew they would get the cake done. The movie provided them the basic environment, a familiar imaginary land, where they could work with their imagination. They might realize that without learning the language their Tubby project wouldn't work."

Tags:mathematics, science, language, teletubbies, internet

Abstract
The paper discusses how technology is capable of enhancing the blind's perception of popular culture and their interaction within it. The paper then shows how the blind will still be unable to experience the Information Age schema of popular culture in the same kind of depth with which a sighted person can. The paper adds that the difficulty the blind have in accessing this information is only likely to get worse as pop culture continues to evolve around the increasingly rapid intake and processing of new, visual information.

From the Paper
"There is little denying the reality that popular culture is, in contemporary society, largely shaped by new developments in technology. It is an "environment of accelerated change, where the evolution of technology has become the primary force behind pop culture (Rudman, 2006). For the majority of people, the intersection of technology and popular culture can seem so seamless and ubiquitous as to be unnoticeable. Most, especially the younger generation, have fully adapted to a world of YouTube videos, blogging, virtual worlds, and 24-hour cell phone access.However, the fact that popular culture has become mired in technology, like the Internet, which can be a fundamentally visual medium, can present significant challenges for individuals who are blind or sight impaired."

Tags:Information, Age, vision, sight

Abstract
The question, What is popular culture and how does it relate to Eastern and Western societies? is an apparently simple query that conceals a complex range of social cultural and economic aspects. This essay examines this question, beginning with a provisional definition of popular culture and an attempt to distinguish it from other cultural forms such as high culture and mass culture. The thesis is argued that popular culture is, in its fundamental elements, a commercial culture that is dependent to an extraordinary degree upon the mass media as a technological vehicle for its messages and products.

Tags:pop, culture, asia