Neil Renic, Centre for Military Studies
Abstract
Pop Culture as a Learning Tool
This project explores the benefits of utilizing popular culture as a teaching tool and assessment practice. I argue that far from a mere diversion, pop culture can enhance student interest in a set topic and provide an important bridge between abstract theory and empirical research. To validate this claim, I integrated pop culture into the first assignment of my “Security Studies” masters class at the University of Copenhagen. I also created a mandatory additional task, requiring the students to reflect on their experience with the exercise. This revealed that an overwhelming majority of my 71 students found the exercise fun, challenging, and instructive. The assignment has validated the growing body of supporting literature arguing that pop culture can potentially serve an important function in a classroom setting. It boosted student interest in, and enjoyment of, a theory-based item of assessment, and, more importantly, has broadened the conceptual horizon of the students regarding the applicability and explanatory value of security studies theory.