Marxist theory, and in particular its use in media analysis, is outmoded in a world where a capitalist consumer culture holds sway. Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement.
Journalism Media Industries Marxist theory, and in particular its use in media analysis, is outmoded in a world where a capitalist consumer culture holds sway. Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement. For Karl Marx, the mass media was simply an instrument of bourgeois control over the proletariat, a part of the overall superstructure of society, along with religion, the family and education. Marxist theory has been very influential since he started writing about developed capitalist society in the mid-Victorian era. His basic premise - that the oppressed proletariat (workers) should emancipate themselves and take control of society away from the bourgeoisie (the ruling classes) - has spawned political movements, academic theories and hundreds of different interpretations and analyses. Marxist and 'neo-Marxist' approaches to the study of mass media have been common in academic circles since the late 1960s, but of late Marxism has been shunned as 'unfashionable', partly due to the rise of the New Right in the 1980s, but mainly because its practical application as seen in so-called Communist states in China, Russia and so on has been abhorrent. Also, alternative theories such as postmodernism are seen by many as a more pragmatic way of studying today's dynamic media. Ian Nicholls Page 2 Whether one agrees with Marx's
Media, and its effects on the young.
Little Andy sat transfixed in front of the television, watching 'Tom and Jerry'. Only five years old, the flashing images of Tom slipping on a banana that Jerry left for him makes him chuckle, then he lets out giggle as he sees Jerry pounding Tom on the head with a hammer. Meanwhile, his eleven-year-old brother, Billy, has his earphones on, listening to a song with lyrics that are unfathomably slurred amidst the clamor of a discord of electric guitars and drums. Christine, the oldest of the three, was in the bathroom, sticking her fingers down her throat, so that she could vomit what she ate, in order to be thin. It looks like the above scenario is a typical household; a bulimic teenager, an insensitive, isolated boy and a child who will grow up to be violent and anti-social... Or is it? The situation above is due to the influence they get from various media forms. The violence in TV shows will affect little Andy for life. What Billy doesn't know is that many of his metal music contain 'hidden' lyrics that cannot be indecipherable. These are lyrics are actually aggressive, vulgar and uncouth. Christine feels pressured to be slim, just like all the models and stars she sees in magazines and movies. It is due to what today's generation see, hear and read, that makes them want to be anything but themselves. It can be said that two thirds of media influence has a
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Censorship.
The censorship debate is a long one, and the numbers seem to be equally divided between both sides. Censorship exists in all forms of media, and far beyond it. Those against are not campaigning for a completely censorship free country, but just to minimise it to an extent where it is not such a predominant part of what we watch, hear and think. It would be impossible and unrealistic to believe that the country would be able to function properly without some control of the information leaked to the general public, but it is also a worrying prospect that we may not know as much as we think we do about the country we live in and the problems facing it. One example of the advantages of censorship is during World War II. It played a major part along with propaganda to maintain a positive atmosphere throughout England, as if all the gruesome details concerning the ever-increasing death rate, the awful state of the soldiers and the destruction of homes and buildings were openly shared, not only would the people of England lose the faith they once had in winning the war, but it would make the country much easier to beat. The army wouldn't have anything to prove, and the German spies closely monitoring the media would be able to pin-point the perfect places to destroy in order to bring morale to such a low that the English would have no choice but to surrender. But was this really
"To what extent do representations in the printed media influence gender roles?"
"To what extent do representations in the printed media influence gender roles?" I will be looking at women's 'to-be-looked-at-ness', and examining the representations of women as objects of the male gaze and male desires. In simple terms, a stereotype is the application of one (usually negative) characteristic to a whole group. The stereotype is an easy concept to understand, but there are some points you need to consider when looking at media representations with regard to stereotyping. For a stereotype to 'work' it needs to be recognisable to the audience and when so recognised, then judgements are made about the subject. If the stereotype is negative, then the judgements will also tend to be the same. The predictable thing about stereotypes is that they are predictable! They create a sense of order and also provide a sense of identity (even if it is a negative one!) Stereotypical judgements and stereotypical media representations can (and often do) lead to different treatments of groups by other groups, (sadly, often quite discriminatory). If we define 'male' and 'female' all we are doing is a biological classification, but if we think about the terms 'masculine' and 'feminine' we have to think about certain roles and lifestyles. Put simply, the words have very specific ideological assumptions of what is 'natural behaviour' for each sex. The portrayal of men and
How far do you agree with Tessa Perkins views on stereotypes? Illustrate your answer with examples from a range of different media texts.
How far do you agree with Tessa Perkins views on stereotypes? Illustrate your answer with examples from a range of different media texts. "The importance of an image lies not so much in its truth as in its consequences." (Naegele and Stolar, 1960) A stereotype is defined as a label, which involves a process of categorization and evaluation, although it can refer to situations or places. Merriam-Webster defines a stereotype as "a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment." Our society often innocently creates and perpetuates stereotypes, but these stereotypes often lead to unfair discrimination and persecution. For example, if we are walking through a park late at night and encounter three senior citizens aided by canes we may not feel as threatened as if we were me by three high school boys in leather jackets. Why is this? We have mad a generalization in each case. These generalizations have their roots in experiences we have had ourselves, read about in books, seen on television or heard about from friends or family. In virtually every case, we are resorting to prejudice by ascribing characteristics about a person based on a stereotype. Quite often, we have stereotypes about who are members of groups with which we have not had firsthand contact.
Adolescents- threat or asset to society? Discuss how media portrayal of young people today and in the past influences the concept of adolescence. This assessment will look at the various media that was used in the past and is used presently
Adolescents- threat or asset to society? Discuss how media portrayal of young people today and in the past influences the concept of adolescence. This assessment will look at the various media that was used in the past and is used presently and consider the influence that it has on the perception of adolescence. Whether or not they are portrayed as an asset or threat to society will also be looked at. The essay will discuss both past and present media influences and state how there has been a change in both the use of media and the growth. Also why the media portray adolescence in particular ways. The way in which teenagers view themselves will also be briefly touch on. There is an array of media that produces information about adolescents these can include radio, newspapers, magazines and television documentaries. The media tends to create stereotypical images of young people that generalise and brand all young people even though they are part of a much broader group. Young people often find ways to express themselves, which are different to the generally accepted culture of their society. The various means by which they express themselves and mix are known as youth culture. (Jahsonic.com, 1996) There is no single youth culture in modern society, instead there is a variety of different youth subcultures. There are many reasons for this, such as there are more styles
What Effect Did McCarthyism Have On 1950's Media In The United States?
What Effect Did McCarthyism Have On 1950's Media? Fred Hintz A.Plan of Investigation This investigation assesses the effects of the "red-hunter" policies in the 1950's on the media of the time. The specific media that were affected during this period that are examined in this investigation are film, television, and the radio. The methodology of the HUAC in limiting the various media is investigated, as is the response of the leaders in the media at the time. The two sources used in the investigation that are further analyzed are Nightmare In Red: The McCarthy Era In Perspective by Richard M. Fried and Banned In The Media: A Reference Guide to Censorship in the Press by Herbert N. Foerstel. They are evaluated for their origins, purposes, values, and limitations. This investigation does not assess the ideology of McCarthyism, or any of the other practices and policies put in place because of McCarthyism. This investigation also does not assess the effect of McCarthyism on present-day media. B. Summary Of Evidence. The largest organizations that targeted "subversiveness" in American society in the 1950's were the HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee), and, specifically geared towards communist influences in the media, AWARE, Inc. a private anti-communist venture. These organizations exercised their control over the media primarily through the practice of
Analysing my media diet
Omar Jundi Media Studies Coursework Introduction In this assignment I will be analysing my media diet and discussing the media products I consume. I am doing this because I want to analyse the amount of media products I consume in one day, the range of media products I use and how the media affects me. My favourite media appliance is the radio; because I like music and radio is good as a secondary medium i.e. it can be on in the background while I do my homework, while it is difficult to do your homework at the same time as watching television, because it grabs too much of your attention, which makes it a primary medium. Other media appliances I own include a PC, a games console and a modem. Stage 1 Product Title Reason TV Programme The Simpsons Comedy 2 Film Crouching Tiger: Hidden Dragon Good Special Effects 3 Radio Show Chris Moyles Show Quick humour 4 Music CD Discovery: Daft Punk Best album I've heard 5 TV Programme Family Guy Good Comedy 6 Film Gladiator Fight Sequences 7 TV Programme Trigger Happy TV Great Pranks 8 TV Programme Big Brother Reality TV 9 Radio Show Mark & Lard Show Their Comedy 0 Music CD Reveal: REM Good album Stage 2 My favourite media product is The Simpsons, an American cartoon comedy on television. It was first shown in 1989, and has been on non-stop ever since. I like it because it
How are Women Effected by their Representation in the Media?
How are Women Effected by their Representation in the Media? Feminism has been a recognised social philosophy for more than thirty years, and the changes that have occurred in women's roles in western society during that time have been nothing short of phenomenal. Yet media representations of women remain worryingly constant. Does this reflect that the status of women has not really changed or that the male-dominated media does not want to accept it has changed? Representations of women across all media tend to highlight the following: * Beauty (within narrow conventions) * Size/physique (again, within narrow conventions) * Sexuality (as expressed by the above) * Emotional (as opposed to intellectual) dealings * Relationships (as opposed to independence/freedom) Women are often represented as being part of a context (family, friends, colleagues) and working/thinking as part of a team. In drama, they tend to take the role of helper (Prop) or object, passive rather than active. Often their passivity extends to victim hood. For several months now, there has been a furore of negative press surrounding a game by Simon & Schuster: Panty Raider. The objective of the game is to shoot "goop" at unwitting supermodels, which dissolves their clothing and exposes them in revealing lingerie. Various parenting and feminist groups, as well as many consumers, are outraged by the
Using Sociological evidence and concepts access the view that the mass media perpetuates stereotypes of gender
Using Sociological evidence and concepts access the view that the mass media perpetuates stereotypes of gender In this essay I will be writing about the way in which the mass media reinforces the idea of stereotypes of gender. The mass media has existed for many hundreds of years, and its role is to socialise us into different stereotypes such as Gender and Race. Gender is perhaps the basic category we use for sorting human beings. Essential ideas that we get about our own identity's come from someone else's perception of how a female/male should act/look. There are two very different ideas about how females and males should act. Males are looked upon as dominant and emotionless whereas woman are considered to be very emotional and are not dominant, they are the victims of the male dominance. Not only does the mass media integrate these ideas into society but other forms such as parents etc suggests that their children should conform to these roles. The number of woman feminists has seriously increased. This is from either liberal, socialist or even radical feminists. However the radical feminists have been the major group trying to change woman's fortunes. They believe that the media is patriarchal (perpetuates male power and privilege). They also believe that serious change has to be made in society and mainly the media on the roles of woman in society and believe it is