Adopting a historical-critical perspective, From Flappers to Rappers traces the origins of youth in the Roaring Twenties, a distinct form of culture that was revived by the rock and roll rebels of the 1950s, to an increasingly inclusive Digital era at the turn of the 21st century. Positioning youth culture as a 20th century social experiment that is coming to an end, Marcel Danesi discusses the various musically-defined eras that saw rise to hippie culture, punk, disco, and the hip-hop movement, among other social groups. The chapters explore how these generations were instrumental in the fight against racial discrimination, gender discrimination, and sexual repression. This accessible book analyzes how society is evolving in an age of globalization and new technologies that threaten youth culture, and questions what this shift implies for the world today. This textbook is an invaluable resource for students and teachers of sociology, anthropology, and cultural studies.
FEATURES:
includes an accompanying workbook for students
timely content that is relevant internationally
features sections on iconic artists such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles
Chapter 1 — Origins: From the Construction of Adolescence to the Roaring Twenties
Prologue
Adolescence
Romanticism
Flappers
The Jazz Era
The Mass Media
Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Dada, and Futurism
Epilogue
Chapter 2 — Rebirth and Rebellion: The 1950s
Prologue
Elvis Presley
Rebellion
Coolness
The Rock Era
Beat Writers and Pop Art
Holden Caulfield, Happy Days, and The Truman Show
Epilogue
Chapter 3 — Revolution: The counterculture Era
Prologue
The Beatles
The Counterculture Era
The Hippies
Cooption
Influences
Epilogue
Chapter 4 — Mutation: The Post-Counterculture Era
Prologue
Metal
Punk
Goth
Sexual Personae
Disco
Rave
Epilogue
Chapter 6 — Demise: The Day the Music Died
Prologue
Technology and the Mass Media
Cyberspace
Meme Culture
Adolescence Revised
The Day the Music Died
Epilogue
Notes
Index
Biography
Marcel Danesi is Professor of Semiotics and Linguistic Anthropology in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Toronto. His main research interests are semiotic theory and youth culture. He is currently Editor-in-Chief of Semiotica, the official journal of the International Association for Semiotic Studies.
“This is a fun and engaging overview of the rise, evolution, and potential demise of youth culture. One of the major strengths of the book is its interdisciplinary approach to understanding the evolution of youth culture against the changing social conditions of the various eras from the 1920s to the present day.”
—Geoffrey Stewart, Department of History, University of Western Ontario
Instructor Resources
From Flappers to Rappers includes a student workbook that outlines the following resources for each chapter :
thematic summaries
review of main terms
textual analysis
review of pop art
discussion question
Contact your rep to view a supplement sample or request a download code.
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