Paragraph 1 – Post-war and the rise of ‘mass culture’ in America 1950 – 1960. Paragraph 2 – What is pluralism? 1960 – 1970s. (required)

Paragraph 1: Design and industry shaped notions of ‘hegemony’ or the sense that as a culture
Americans were all the same – able to own the same things – as a “mass culture.”
Through which conduits of information was mass culture developed?
Be specific. Give two or three examples – with artist, title, date – of products that
reflect mass cultural perspectives. Finally, discuss the development of
“consumer capitalism” and how design and industry worked to ensure both a
stimulated economy and happy consumers.
❏ ½ page – 1 page. Double-spaced.
❏ One or two very short quotes with author cited, optional not required.
❏ A creative title.
❏ Outline with sources of information noted. (book, lecture notes)
❏ Examples as needed, integral to text.

Paragraph 2 : What social conditions of American 1950s post-war lifestyle and/or social events
led to new ideas for design, fashion, and social design in the 1960s.
How did designers express new styles and consumer needs?
What specifically, were some of the means and methods used to create
“consumer choice” and its illusion of freedom? Give 3 -5 examples of products with artist, title, date – and discuss how they express pluralistic notions of society.
❏ ½ page – 1 page. Double-spaced.
❏ One or two very short quotes with author cited, optional not required.
❏ A creative title.
❏ Outline with sources of information noted. (book, lecture notes)
❏ Examples as needed, integral to text.