Some have argued that Elvis Presley was the greatest cultural force in twentieth-century America. This course will consider the early career of Elvis Presley as a unique window for the study of race, class, gender, and heteronormative sexuality in postwar popular American culture. Specifically, we will look at the blending of African American and other forms of musical style in Presley's music, the representation of masculinity and sexuality across a sampling of his films and television performances, and key cultural film texts from the 1950s, and we will end by evaluating Presley's lasting impact as a unique icon in American cultural history.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 20

Prerequisites: None.

Instructor: Creef

Distribution Requirements: ARS - Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Film and Video

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered

Notes: