FINDING GOD IN THE HANGOVER

Tara Rupp Jason Downer

Fairfield University

Outline

Introduction Why we find this topic important Benefits of using pop culture Making the connection between Jesuit

values, pop-culture, and topics facing our students

Finding God in All Things

“Ignatian spirituality considers everything an important element of your life. That includes religious services, sacred Scriptures, prayer, and charitable works, to be sure, but it also includes friends, family, work, relationships, sex, suffering, and joy, as well as nature, music, and pop culture”- Jim Martin S.J.

The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything

Influence of Pop Culture on Society

"If you're going to understand America at the turn of the new century, you've got to understand its presidents and its wars and all the rest of its history but you had better

also understand its cheeseburgers and its taxicabs and its interstate highway system…And it's funny that when it comes time to taking that kind of stuff seriously, there

aren't a lot of people out there who want to talk about it.”

Robert Thompson, Director

Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University

Video: Why pop culture is so important

Influence of Pop Culture on Society

We are not in control of our environment We are constantly being bombarded by

messages from movies, television, the internet, ads, magazines, etc

Ignoring or being immune to pop culture is impossible

The key is to be aware of what’s happening and use that awareness in conversations with students

Going Deeper with Students

Big Questions, Worthy Dreams- Sharon ParksHow do we involve students in these conversationsHow do we challenge them to explore areas of their

lives they might not be comfortable exploring

Benefits

Popular culture has always been a target of criticism by “elites”Arguments include: shameless excesses of

urban life, seduces/corrupts children, takes away from “serious” pursuits

Often reflects a fear about a change in the status quo

While there can be negative effects, there are also many positive things that can be taken from pop culture

Making the connection

What topics to explore?

How to use pop culture effectively?

How to make it accessible to students?

Program Ideas: Diversity – Media Stereotypes

Discussion/Program – Media Stereotypes around cultures and diversity

“Diversity Day” http://www.tbs.com/video/index.jsp?oid=124282

Program Ideas: Diversity – Media Stereotypes Have blank sheets of paper with different races,

genders, ethnicities, and sexuality types written at the topItalian, Gay, Indian, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Women,

Rich, Poor, Urban, White

Ask participants to write down or name characters from TV shows and movies they associate with these characterizations

Discuss trends of each category. Ask students to talk about how they are similar/different from these categorizations

Program Ideas: Diversity – Media Stereotypes After debrief show clip: Everyone’s A Little

Bit Racist:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBzv6JSm-N

o&feature=related

Stereotypes in Cartoonshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS3e-n8Mj7I

Video showing how children see black and white http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKYw0tKw6

D4&feature=related

Program Ideas: “That’s So Gay”

Real Housewives of New Jerseyhttp://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of

-new-jersey/ideos/addressing-the-gay-comment

Discuss: Why do you think people sometimes use the phrase “that’s so gay”?

That’s So Gay PSA http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/psa.asp?play=tvspots&video=TV_Pizza_30

Ultimate Message: How would you feel if someone used a word that described you as something dumb or stupid?

Sexuality

How does Pop-Culture influence students’ ideas of sexuality and dating?

What are some ways to begin those conversations?

How do we make the conversation about sexuality and dating on our Jesuit campuses more then just about condoms.

Dating through the years

Modern Family http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_CmBsi17_0&feature=PlayLi

st&p=9C9D9D017E041A2F&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=73

Saved by the Bell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=602yQEP0Tgg

Andy Griffith Show http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJU9nqOsk0Y

Finding God in The Hangover How do you “ruin” hit movies? The Hangover

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op-4iqRCDV4&feature=related

What themes are the underlying themes in “The Hangover”FriendshipReflectionMagis

Discussion

How do you use pop culture with your students?

Have you found specific programs or topics that resonate with students and could lead to deeper conversations?

How have you incorporated pop culture into programs at your university?

Resources Sex and The Soul

Donna Friedman The Jesuit Guide to (almost) Everything

James Martin, S.J. Popular Culture in the Classroom: Teaching and Researching

Critical Media Literacy (IRA's Literacy Studies Series) Donna E. Alvermann

A Matrix of Meanings: finding God in pop culture (Engaging Culture) Craig Detweiler

“Good Morning Boys and Girls” – Tolerance.org Rebecca Bidler

“Culture Jock” – University of Chicago Magazine Amy M. Braverman

“The Worldwide Web of Popular Culture” Jim Cullen