More to follow
This is a useful starting point [source]:
Most of you are opting to examine your AS work which was mainly slasher, so a few quick pointers...
Although there were earlier antecedents, Psycho (Hitchcock, 1960) is the genre's archetype, laying down the basic template of sexually confused male killer, with the choice of weapon giving the genre its name. The knife also functions, according to psychoanalytic approaches to film theory, as a phallic object - rendering the attack with a knife as a symbolic rape.
Alongside Psycho, which attracted considerable controversy and an X-rating, even though shot in B+W, Micheal Powell's Peeping Tom is often neglected. Released in the same year, and arguably the superior film, Martin Scorsese has seen it recently re-released and remastered; such was the disgust
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
POMO/MEDIA 2.0: Get giddy over Giddens
[cross-posted]
This is difficult, abstract stuff but I'd like you to have a go at reading up on the work of Anthony Giddens and summarising the main features.
We will discuss what these are, and how you might apply these ideas to the question on Media and Collective Identity. His ideas on globalisation and localism are useful, but its especially his theories on identity, and his use of the concept of narrative, which we will focus on.
You can choose from a number of resources on this (or try googling anthony giddens + additional terms):
This is difficult, abstract stuff but I'd like you to have a go at reading up on the work of Anthony Giddens and summarising the main features.
We will discuss what these are, and how you might apply these ideas to the question on Media and Collective Identity. His ideas on globalisation and localism are useful, but its especially his theories on identity, and his use of the concept of narrative, which we will focus on.
You can choose from a number of resources on this (or try googling anthony giddens + additional terms):
- http://www.sociosite.net/topics/sociologists.php#GIDDENS A further set of links on Giddens
- http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/bios/giddens.html Brief summary
- http://www.newinfluencer.com/mediapedia/anthony-giddens/ Another brief summary!
- http://www.theory.org.uk/giddens.htm Its challenging reading but split into clear sections
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_giddens Still a challenging read! Use the topic index to go to the more relevant sections
- http://old.lse.ac.uk/collections/meetthedirector.20031001/faqs.htm Giddens' own FAQ page might be a good starting point!
- http://www.ldb.org/giddens.htm A variety of quotes from his work
- Understanding Media Cultures - google books sample (espec from p.133)
- Modernity + Self-Identity - google books sample
- Media, Gender and Identity [by David Gauntlett] - google books sample; Giddens chapter starts p.99
- Media Studies: Media History, Media and Society - google books sample;useful on globalisation
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/events/reith_99/ Giddens on globalisation
- http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/anthonygiddens Various Guardian articles - Giddens is associated with the 'third way' political philosophy that saw Tony Blair try to merge right- and left-wing thinking in New Labour
- http://www.polity.co.uk/giddens6/blog/post.aspx?id=34 Very useful blog post on the question of national identity, discussing reasons why it might be increasingly fragmented and declining in Britain
Representation theory
Some useful resources on the general concept, of which the first text is the most useful
Representation
A more basic rundown:
Media Representation - David Chandler
This next one is university-level, but may be of particular interest to those of you also studying English/Lit., as it focusses on the possible links between narrative and representation:
The Value of Narrativity in the Representation of Reality
You can also look to find some useful materials on YouTube, such as this piece by Stuart Hall (who developed the idea of there being 3 levels of reading, and is a key thinker of the world of Cultural Studies):
SOME FURTHER READING:
http://ww2poster.co.uk/2010/04/lucy-noakes-gender-and-british-national-identity-in-wartime-a-study-of-the-links-between-gender-and-national-identity-in-britain-in-the-second-world-war-the-falklands-war-and-the-gulf-war/
http://www.edwardashbee.com/USERIMAGES/beingamerican.pdf
http://www.media4xav.org.uk/National%20identity%202010.docx (or as HTML)
http://www.powell-pressburger.org/Reviews/44_ACT/ACT-DiscoursesEssay.html
http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/sacs/vol2/issue1/BritishSouth-AsianCinemaAndIdentity_1.pdf
http://dro.dur.ac.uk/2342/
Representation
A more basic rundown:
Media Representation - David Chandler
This next one is university-level, but may be of particular interest to those of you also studying English/Lit., as it focusses on the possible links between narrative and representation:
The Value of Narrativity in the Representation of Reality
You can also look to find some useful materials on YouTube, such as this piece by Stuart Hall (who developed the idea of there being 3 levels of reading, and is a key thinker of the world of Cultural Studies):
SOME FURTHER READING:
http://ww2poster.co.uk/2010/04/lucy-noakes-gender-and-british-national-identity-in-wartime-a-study-of-the-links-between-gender-and-national-identity-in-britain-in-the-second-world-war-the-falklands-war-and-the-gulf-war/
http://www.edwardashbee.com/USERIMAGES/beingamerican.pdf
http://www.media4xav.org.uk/National%20identity%202010.docx (or as HTML)
http://www.powell-pressburger.org/Reviews/44_ACT/ACT-DiscoursesEssay.html
http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/sacs/vol2/issue1/BritishSouth-AsianCinemaAndIdentity_1.pdf
http://dro.dur.ac.uk/2342/
Applying U+G theory
(to be adapted)
A very useful theory not just to discuss in terms of the general active v passive audience debate, but also to apply...
Take any text we have looked at, or that you have personally studied, for this exam. Consider the four uses Blumler and Brown, building on Lasswell's (1925) work suggested audiences apply to the media:
How would different audiences respond to a given text? Consider Scots and English audiences for Braveheart; Northern Irish and English audiences for Mickybo and Me; Scottish and English audiences for the Scottish Sun's "cocky English" cover story; Unionist and Nationalist N.Irish for Hidden Agenda - you can apply this to any text.
When doing so you could also make reference to Stuart Hall's theory of readings, in which he argues that meaning resides as much in the audience as the text itself, reversing traditional 'passive' audience theories for a more 'active' conception of the audience.
There are many audience theories you can consider... [slideshare Ppt should appear below]
I might embed an A2 pack on audience theory later
Here's an excerpt from a detailed overview of the theory, breaking down Dennis McQuail's original categories, with examples of how specifically they might be applied when engaged in semiotic, especially audience (including 'mode of address'), analysis;
See the links lists for links to resources on Uses + Gratifications theory. You'll also find many Googlebooks references if you google this! (eg)
Here's the Wikibooks link.
A very useful theory not just to discuss in terms of the general active v passive audience debate, but also to apply...
Take any text we have looked at, or that you have personally studied, for this exam. Consider the four uses Blumler and Brown, building on Lasswell's (1925) work suggested audiences apply to the media:
Diversion—Escape from routine and problems; an emotional release.
Personal Relationships—Social utility of information in conversation; substitution of media for companionship.
Personal Identity or Individual Psychology—Value reinforcement or reassurance; self-understanding, reality exploration.
Surveillance—Information about factors which might affect one or will help one do or accomplish something (Severin and Tankard, 1997) [from wiki]
How would different audiences respond to a given text? Consider Scots and English audiences for Braveheart; Northern Irish and English audiences for Mickybo and Me; Scottish and English audiences for the Scottish Sun's "cocky English" cover story; Unionist and Nationalist N.Irish for Hidden Agenda - you can apply this to any text.
When doing so you could also make reference to Stuart Hall's theory of readings, in which he argues that meaning resides as much in the audience as the text itself, reversing traditional 'passive' audience theories for a more 'active' conception of the audience.
There are many audience theories you can consider... [slideshare Ppt should appear below]
I might embed an A2 pack on audience theory later
 |
| Here's a clear U+G summary from the BBC. |
Here's an excerpt from a detailed overview of the theory, breaking down Dennis McQuail's original categories, with examples of how specifically they might be applied when engaged in semiotic, especially audience (including 'mode of address'), analysis;
- An empirical study in the U & G tradition might typically involve audience members completing a questionnaire about why they watch a TV programme. Denis McQuail offers (McQuail 1987: 73) the following typology of common reasons for media use:
- finding out about relevant events and conditions in immediate surroundings, society and the world
- seeking advice on practical matters or opinion and decision choices
- satisfying curiosity and general interest
- learning; self-education
- gaining a sense of security through knowledge
- finding reinforcement for personal values
- finding models of behaviour
- identifying with valued other (in the media)
- gaining insight into one's self
- gaining insight into circumstances of others; social empathy
- identifying with others and gaining a sense of belonging
- finding a basis for conversation and social interaction
- having a substitute for real-life companionship
- helping to carry out social roles
- enabling one to connect with family, friends and society
- escaping, or being diverted, from problems
- relaxing
- getting intrinsic cultural or aesthetic enjoyment
- filling time
- emotional release
- sexual arousal
Cultural imperialism
(to be adapted)
I would assume you'll all look here for help with the homework task...
A simple definition of this concept:
You can find some much more in-depth discussions (though the wiki does have further detail too) at the following, including some writers who scorn this theory:
Some chapters from John Tomlinson's Cultural Imperialism book
Phil Taylor (writing for the British Council) rejects the theory
David Rothkopf, "In Praise of Cultural Imperialism?" Foreign Policy, Number 107, Summer 1997, pp. 38-53
Reconsidering cultural imperialism theory By Livingston A. White
Cultural Imperialism: An American Tradition by Julia Galeota
Cultural imperialism: essays on the political economy of cultural domination By Bernd Hamm, Russell Charles Smandych
A breakdown of the theory and further useful links
I would assume you'll all look here for help with the homework task...
A simple definition of this concept:
Cultural imperialism is the practice of promoting, distinguishing, separating, or artificially injecting the culture of one society into another. It is usually the case that the former belongs to a large, economically or militarily powerful nation and the latter belongs to a smaller, less important one. Cultural imperialism can take the form of an active, formal policy or a general attitude. A metaphor of colonialism is employed: the cultural products of the first world "invade" the third-world and "conquer" local culture.[1] In the stronger variants of the term, world domination (in a cultural sense) is the explicit goal of the nation-states or corporations that export the culture.[1] The term is usually used in a pejorative sense, usually in conjunction with a call to reject foreign influence. [Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_imperialism]
You can find some much more in-depth discussions (though the wiki does have further detail too) at the following, including some writers who scorn this theory:Some chapters from John Tomlinson's Cultural Imperialism book
Phil Taylor (writing for the British Council) rejects the theory
David Rothkopf, "In Praise of Cultural Imperialism?" Foreign Policy, Number 107, Summer 1997, pp. 38-53
Reconsidering cultural imperialism theory By Livingston A. White
Cultural Imperialism: An American Tradition by Julia Galeota
Cultural imperialism: essays on the political economy of cultural domination By Bernd Hamm, Russell Charles Smandych
A breakdown of the theory and further useful links
Should we be concerned about the ubiquity of (typically US-owned) companies such as MTV? Does it matter that the likes of Starbucks and McDonalds can be found in towns and cities all over the world? Is this evidence of a process of globalisation, homogeonisation...or, indeed, cultural imperialism?
Postmodernism
This is a key topic, and a gift really as far as exam prep AND coursework blogging/Eval is concerned: a complex but digestible idea which invites consideration of conflicting views + arguments. Not surprisingly, I've blogged on this many times; I'll gather links to these below then you can carry on to what has been the main post on this key topic.
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/11/gta5-postmodern-theory-baudrillard.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/06/your-sample-q1a-answers.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2011/05/1a-1b-guides.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/06/dictionary-of-pomo-terms-alterity.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2010/05/you-simply-must-read-this.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/05/q1a-guide.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/04/pomo-by-louderthanwar-blog.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/04/slasher-sitcom-holliston-fearnetcom.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/03/q1b-audience.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/03/digitisation-self-published-short-film.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2011/04/postmodernism.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2010/04/some-prompts-for-q1a.html;
UPDATE 11TH JUNE 2012: single paragraphs on famous postmodern theorists added to the end of this post. Pick one or more + think of how you can apply such ideas to your own work - you don't have to agree; the point you might wish to make can validly be a rejection of the theory (of any theory) ALSO: dictionary of pomo terms added to bottom of post
A PowerPoint on pomo theory: for all your A2 vids, and most of your AS openings, you should be able to apply the concepts of bricolage or pastiche...
http://alleynsmedia.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Postmodern%20Media is useful.
The concept of postmodernism denies definition to some extent, but Dominic Strinati outlined 5 key characteristics in 1995 that are often cited:
A more detailed breakdown (source: http://www.sociology.org.uk/pcpmod.doc) follows:
Www.sociology.org.Uk Pcpmod
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/11/gta5-postmodern-theory-baudrillard.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/06/your-sample-q1a-answers.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2011/05/1a-1b-guides.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/06/dictionary-of-pomo-terms-alterity.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2010/05/you-simply-must-read-this.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/05/q1a-guide.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/04/pomo-by-louderthanwar-blog.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/04/slasher-sitcom-holliston-fearnetcom.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/03/q1b-audience.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2012/03/digitisation-self-published-short-film.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2011/04/postmodernism.html;
http://prodeval.blogspot.com/2010/04/some-prompts-for-q1a.html;
UPDATE 11TH JUNE 2012: single paragraphs on famous postmodern theorists added to the end of this post. Pick one or more + think of how you can apply such ideas to your own work - you don't have to agree; the point you might wish to make can validly be a rejection of the theory (of any theory) ALSO: dictionary of pomo terms added to bottom of post
A PowerPoint on pomo theory: for all your A2 vids, and most of your AS openings, you should be able to apply the concepts of bricolage or pastiche...
http://alleynsmedia.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Postmodern%20Media is useful.
Strinati's (1995) 5 Key Features of Postmodernism
The following notes are based on the relevant chapter in Dan Laughey's Key Themes in Media Theory, a very useful book as regards the exam...The concept of postmodernism denies definition to some extent, but Dominic Strinati outlined 5 key characteristics in 1995 that are often cited:
- Breakdown of the distinction between culture and society
- An emphasis on style over substance
- Breakdown of the distinction between high art and popular culture
- Confusions over time and space
- Decline of metanarratives ['grand theories such as Marxism, Christianity and ... modernism have lost their currency for modern societies']*
Jean Baudrillard and Simulacra
Baudrillard is famed for the notorious argument that the Gulf War did not happen, labelling coverage of it an example of hyperreality, or a simulacra:The Gulf War did not take place, according to Baudrillard, because it was won by the mighty US Air Force before it had begun. The lasting memories of this war for most people were screened images - transmitted via military operations to CNN and other western media - showing how US pilots pinpointed and then bombed Iraqi targets (...) from thousands of miles above land. As such, 'This war is conducted according to the media model: war as a technological relationship ... founded on the abolition of symbolic exchange and the simulation of real communication' (Merrin 2005: 84). This is not a war in the sense of prolonged combat and conflict (the first two world wars, by contrast, really did take place); instead, we experience a virtual war, much like a video game simulates real warfare, and therefore this real-time, media-saturated spectacle is nothing other than what Baudrillard calls a 'non-event'. Subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq amount to 'a rehash of the past, with the same deluge of military forces, bogus information, senseless bombardment, emotive and deceitful language, technological deployment and brainwashing. Like the Gulf War: a non-event, an event that does take place' (Baudrillard 2002: 34). [Laughey, 2007: 151]
A more detailed breakdown (source: http://www.sociology.org.uk/pcpmod.doc) follows:
Www.sociology.org.Uk Pcpmod
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