HTA Lecture: “How the School of Pop Culture Unites, Divides, and Informs”

Dr. Caleb Smith will present the 2026 Humanities Teacher Award lecture for Jones County Junior College titled “How the School of Pop Culture Unites, Divides, and Informs.”

“How the School of Pop Culture Unites, Divides, and Informs” is on how popular culture in American society can unite people through shared experiences or divide people through factors like demographic or ideological means. Additionally, popular culture can educate or miseducate people, shaping perceptions and skewing opinions. This presentation will highlight a few examples of how popular culture has become so ingrained in society that even international movements have found symbols and motivation through popular culture and how some pieces of this culture have created social mirrors to reflect upon parts of our society.

The lecture will take place on the Jones County Junior College campus on January 28, 2026, at 10 a.m.