This article builds upon the concept of hybridity to affirm the relevance of poetry, music, and other forms of popular culture in the lives of urban youth. Its focus examines the blending of seemingly disparate forms to understand how young people, in particular young people of color, negotiate their multilayered social worlds. One of these worlds…

Discusses the importance of Hoggart's "The Uses of Literacy" in cultural studies. Notes the simplicity and grace in Hoggart's writing and his insistence on using plain and honest language. (PD)

The authors introduce manga to educators, inspired by the comics' explosive entry into U.S. popular culture. The word "manga" refers specifically to printed, Japanese-style comics found in graphic-novel format--not to be confused with "anime" (animated Japanese cartoons, including moving images on television, movies, video…

Considers how although the influence of "Oprah's Book Club" has been well documented in the popular media, it has received little attention from the academic community. Examines the club as a literacy delivery system, asking how literacy takes its shape from the interests of both Winfrey and her readers. (SG)

Seeks to widen discussion about which forms of literacy are most appropriate for the education of children in the twenty-first century. Outlines the current debate about the changes to children's literacy practices. Argues that what is required from teachers is a transformative pedagogy. Notes how this would allow children's cultural interest to…

Analyzes popular culture as it relates to the expression of universal human values, namely the desire and struggle for freedom from tyranny and oppression. Examines popular culture as the everyday social experience of marginalized students as they confront, make sense of, and contend with social institutions such as schools, the mass media,…

Questions whether traditional schooling will survive electronically mediated changes. Notes that "pop culture pedagogy" uses many modes of transmission that are capable of presenting a variety of textual forms, and that popular music offers provocative texts. Samples issues surrounding pop culture and nonschool literacy that are central to the…

Teens encounter a barrage of messages about sexuality in popular culture--messages that shape their identities and schooling experiences in profound ways. Meanwhile, teen sexuality, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) increasingly arouse public panic. To date, however, schools do little to help teens make sense of their…

Computer games, rock video, television, and movies are robbing teenagers of time they should be using to develop their minds. However, the electronic media do have a positive potential. A 10-item reference list is provided. (Author/DCS)

Discusses the "Teletubbies" television show's appeal to older children and to adults. Suggests that the debate that has been generated around it raise significant questions about the relations between childhood and adulthood and about the nature of literacy in media-saturated societies. (RS)

Emphasizes similarities between historical views of literacy and new school writing programs in which literacy: (1) is sociable, (2) has roots in nonstandardized language, and (3) places a premium on performance and publication. Views the current emphasis on writing as paralleling an earlier, popular literacy. (Author/LHW)

Discusses the changing definition of literacy and how this applies to recent calls by government officials for back to basics education. (SRT)

Reflects on the influence of popular culture and mass media on young people, and argues for a broader notion of literacy that includes verbal and visual literacy as well as all manner of other "texts," because the teaching of literacy has exploded right along with satellite technology and microchips. (SR)

Discusses the issues surrounding children's series books and argues the need for children to read more quality literature. Highlights include commercial successes; reasons for their popularity, including the comfort of easy reading and stereotypical characters, social appeal, and fulfillment of childhood needs; marketing; and the difficult…

This book takes an up-close and personal look at elementary school boys and their relationship to sports, movies, video games, and other avenues of popular culture. The book views these media not as enemies of literacy, but as resources "for" literacy. It contains a series of interviews with young boys and girls who describe the pleasure…