Books in Examining Pop Culture series

The 1960s were a period of social upheaval in America, and popular culture often reflected the political climate and social schisms of the time. Movies, music, television, and even the spirit of the youth movement revealed a nation divided by an "old" vs. "new," "hip" vs. "square," "us" vs. "them" mentality. This anthology discusses some of the serious and timely concerns that underlay American pop culture in the 1960s.

Of the many pop culture movements that currently influence styles, attitudes, beliefs and even politics around the world, few have had as extensive an impact as hip hop. Since its emergence as a set of underground African-American artistic expressions in the 1970s, hip hop has become a full-fledged culture that has reached every corner of the globe. This volume examines the social and musical history of rap music and hip hop culture and explores a wide range of writing on both the music itself and the controversies that so often surround it.

Clothing is a form of expression; examining fashion trends in society can provide insight into how people view themselves and how they want to be perceived by others. Articles in this anthology explore the link between fashion and personal identity, what men's and women's fashion trends reveal about gender roles, and the fashion industry's role in dictating what's "in."