Theming in Everyday Life

• In Event: Community and Urban Sociology Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 9: Culture

Abstract

The concept of theming is most often associated with the work of Mark Gottdiener (1997). Most studies of theming in the urban environment have focused on the extraordinary (Las Vegas, Dubai) and high-end retail (Houston’s Galleria). But can the concept of theming be applied to the mundane and ordinary… and even to the déclassé spaces of everyday life? What follows is a case study of theming in one such urban space, the Waffle House food chain common throughout the American south. Further study is important to demonstrate the importance and application of theming to other locales, urban venues, and prior historical examples.

Author

• Ray Hutchison, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay