Assess the extent to which debates about 'culture' are actually debates about power.

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76A4 Society, Media and Culture

Assignment: Monday 21st March, 2005

Tutor: Pedro Nunes (Monday 12pm Seminar)

Word Count: 1656

Question 3: Assess the extent to which debates about 'culture' are actually debates about power.

The Collins English Dictionary defines culture as: 'The total of the inherited ideas, beliefs, values and knowledge which constitute the shared bases of social action; the total range of activities and ideas of a group of people with shared traditions which are transmitted and reinforced by members of the group; the artistic and social pursuits, expression and tastes valued by a society or class; the enlightenment or refinement resulting from these pursuits.

One example of a culture within our world today is Popular Culture, which is generally associated with the entertainment of the lower classes, carrying some negative connotations. Popular Culture consists of, amongst other elements, soap opera, sport, popular television and music, and in more recent years can also be thought of to incorporate the sub-culture of celebrity. Another example from the opposite end of the scale is High Culture. This is seen to be produced for, and aimed exclusively at, the upper class sector of society.