MEDIA & POPULAR CULTURE DEFINING MEDIA Media: The modes, means or channels through which messages are communicated. (plural) Medium (singular) Mass media ? Ex. Television POPULAR CULTURE ? Popular culture: ? Systems and artifacts that the general populous or broad masses within a society share or about which most people have some understanding. ? Folk culture: ? Cultural practices that are enacted for the sole purpose of people within a particular place. Generates profit. Produces social norms. POPULAR CULTURE Creates social identities or sense of who we are. Maintains social boundaries. Produces a sense of belonging and membership. Enables social change and resistance. Adorno & Horkheimer Hall’s different readings AGENDA ADORNO & HORKHEIMER Marxist critique of popular culture Culture Industry – Industries that mass produce standardized cultural goods for profit ? Normalize dominant ideologies ? Dominant messages easily accepted and typically not challenged ? Easily manipulate the masses into docile and passive consumers ? https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=2zfqw8nhUwA ? https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=G2GfKUi9ghM BECKER -FIJI WOMEN BODY IMAGE Site of Study -Fiji Introduced to television in 1995 View on body: ‘ a variety of traditional cultural norms and social mechanisms strongly support robust appetites and body shapes in the ethnic Fijian population’ (Becker 538). Ranadi Johnston (1998) – who holds the Miss Fiji beauty queen title, said slim women were traditionally seen as weak. Exposure to Western television for 3 years In 1998 – 38 months after the station went on air – Ms Becker conducted a survey of teenage girls and found that 74% of them felt they were “too big or fat” Does everyone ‘read’ pop culture the same? Stuart Hall (1980) CONSUMING POP CULTURE ? Encoding -how the message is created ? Decoding -how we take in the message 3 ways of ‘reading’ (or interpreting) popular culture texts. ? Dominant ? Negotiated ? Oppositional Dominant or hegemonic reading CONSUMING POP CULTURE ? ? ? Preferred reading Reader/viewer decodes the message in the way intended by the encoder Consistent with the dominant beliefs, norms, and ideologies Negotiated Reading CONSUMING POP CULTURE ? The viewer/reader generally shares the preferred meaning of the texts ? They also resist and modify the encoded meaning ? They negotiate the meaning based on their positionality, interests, and experiences CONSUMING POP CULTURE Oppositional Reading ? The reader brings an alternative interpretation of the text ? Resist the dominant reading of the text ? Shaped by the social position of the reader READING SPIDER-MAN Dominant Reading: ? The world is divided into good and evil ? An ordinary boy can become a superhero. ? He can protect the helpless and save the world ? The good will ultimately defeat the evil READING SPIDER-MAN Negotiated Reading: ? The world is divided into good and evil, but ? Disagrees with the portrayal of the female character as powerless and in need of rescue ? Questions the characters’ racial and gender stereotypes ? Questions the emphasis on individualism and freedom of choice Oppositional Reading: READING SPIDER-MAN ? Spider-Man is a critique of capitalist greed and corruption ? The movie equates the social problems as personal evil ? The movie treats social injustice as solvable by a good deed of an exceptional individual EXAMPLE – MULAN Dominant reading of the movie Mulan is interpreted as a girl at odds with gender roles in her Chinese culture. EXAMPLE – MULAN A negotiated interpretation of the movie Mulan could be made by someone of the Chinese heritage; they could view the movie as inaccurately representing Mulan’s dress, and ancestor structure. EXAMPLE – MULAN An oppositional reading of the movie Mulan could be made by saying that Shang could be bisexual. https://www.shondaland.com/live/a21073307/dis ney-mulan-queerness/ PRACTICE Is the following reaction an example of a dominant, negotiated, or oppositional reading? PRACTICE ‘IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES’ Imagine The Possibilities https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1 vnsqbnAkk Dominant Reading: girls can be whatever they want to be Negotiated Reading: A woman of color may read that some girls can be whatever they want to be, but not all girls have the same opportunities. Oppositional Reading: this is just another example of neoliberal marketing where companies try sell the idea that they are progressive. This doesn’t reveal the real inequities among women in the workforce and ignores all the years Barbie spent reinforcing gender roles and unrealistic body ideals. Stereotypical, misrepresentation, and underrepresentation of non-dominant groups REPRESENTATION IN THE MEDIA ? Indigenous -Mystic, Magic Medicine, ? African Americans -Angry Black Woman, The Mammy, Gang Members, Absent Fathers ? Asian & Asian American -Nerdy Asian, asexual Asian man, Dragon Lady ? Latinx -The Housekeeper/Maid, the gardener, the ‘spicy’ Latina, the Latin Lover ? Arab & Middle Eastern -Arabs in The Desert, Terrorists, Barbaric, Belly Dancers EXAMPLE -THE MAMMY Link to article: http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/ 20190530-rom-mammy-to-mahollywoods-favourite-raciststereotype EXAMPLE -SPICY LATINA Link to video: https://youtu.be/jp8uBitvYPc EXAMPLE -THE CHINA DOLL Link to video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V uqa1qj6MrA EXAMPLE -OPPRESSED ARAB WOMEN Link to videohttps://youtu.be/2u0PQWElZuQ POP CULTURE & RESISTANCE 1. Increased awareness 2. Informed action 3. Creative production 1. INCREASED AWARENESS Media literacy: The ability to critically evaluate and analyze media Consider: who controls the media, who is represented, who is not represented, whose voices are being ignored, what are different ways to ‘read’ the text? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqHYzYn3WZw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6p5AZp7r_Q 2. INFORMED ACTION Alternative or independent media ? Ex. Bitch Magazine, AngryAsianMan, WeAreMitu Refuse to consume products that dehumanize groups of people ? If sexist, racist, xenophobic, homophobic ? Ex. Don’t eat at Chick fil a because their support of anti-lgbt legislation ? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/21/chick-fil-a-outlet-readingto-close-in-lgbt-rights-row ? Ex. Don’t shop at Walmart because of unfair labor practices ? Ex. Don’t shop Nike or Apple because of sweatshop labor ? https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/18/foxconn-life-deathforbidden-city-longhua-suicide-apple-iphone-brian-merchant-one-device-extract Watch out! sometimes these alt media outlets get bought out or become criticized themselves ? https://wearyourvoicemag.com/identities/wearemitu-stop-exploiting-culture 3. CREATIVE PRODUCTION Passive consumer to Informed producer Participatory Media : media created by average audience ? Not affiliated with mainstream or corporate media ? Provides commentary on current events and issues that produce alternative viewpoints to mainstream media ? Ex. Youtube videos, zines, blogs (Tumblr) EXAMPLE: ZINES Zines: ‘a self-publication, motivated by the desire for self-expression, not for profit.’ Feminist Zine Archive: https://digitalcommons.chapman.ed u/feminist_zines/58/ EXAMPLE -BLOGS https://reverseracism.tumblr.com EXAMPLE -RACISM WATCHDOG CREATIVE PRODUCTION -CULTURE JAMMING Culture Jamming : The act of altering or transforming mass media and popular culture forms into messages or commentary about itself IF DISNEY PRINCESSES HAD REAL LIFE REACTIONS https://imgur.com/gallery/wniEAW A BLURRED LINES He says that he ‘didn’t get it first’ when the song first came out, referring to the idea that some of its lyrics (‘ou know you want it’) wereas he puts it’rapey,’ because he figured that ‘women sing those kinds of lyrics all the time.’ Then he realized that ‘there are men who use that same language when taking advantage of a woman,’ so even if he personally doesn’t act like that, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t other men who do. Basically, it dawned on him that it doesn’t necessarily matter what he meant for the lyrics, ‘it just matters how it affects women.’ From there, he says his ‘mind opened up to what was actually being said in the song and how it could make someone feel’ and he started to notice that ‘we live in a chauvinist society.’ Purchase answer to see full attachment
Mastering the Art of Online Learning: Your Guide to Acing Online Courses
Introduction
In recent years, the popularity of online courses has skyrocketed, offering learners the flexibility to acquire new skills and knowledge from the comfort of their homes. However, succeeding in online courses requires a different approach compared to traditional classroom settings. To help you make the most of your online learning experience, this article presents essential strategies and tips to ace your online courses.
1. Set Clear Goals and Plan Ahead
Before embarking on an online course, establish clear goals and objectives. Determine what you hope to achieve by the end of the course and break down your goals into manageable milestones. Create a study schedule that aligns with your other commitments, ensuring you allocate dedicated time for coursework, assignments, and revision.
2. Create a Productive Study Environment
Establishing a conducive study environment is crucial for online learning success. Find a quiet, well-lit space where you can concentrate without distractions. Remove any potential interruptions, such as notifications from social media or email. Organize your study materials and have a reliable internet connection to ensure seamless access to course materials.
3. Actively Engage in the Course
Active participation is key to mastering online courses. Engage with course materials, including videos, readings, and interactive components. Take comprehensive notes, highlighting key concepts and ideas. Participate in discussion boards, forums, and virtual meetings to interact with instructors and peers, fostering a sense of community and enhancing your understanding of the subject matter.
4. Manage Your Time Effectively
Online courses offer flexibility, but it’s essential to manage your time wisely to avoid falling behind. Create a detailed schedule, allocating specific time slots for coursework, assignments, and studying. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable segments to prevent procrastination. Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and dedicate focused time to each one, ensuring consistent progress throughout the course.
5. Develop Effective Communication Skills
Online courses often rely on written communication, making it crucial to hone your skills in this area. Be concise and clear in your written responses, paying attention to grammar and spelling. Actively participate in discussions, asking thoughtful questions and providing constructive feedback to your peers. Regularly check your course emails and notifications, ensuring you stay updated with any important announcements or changes.
6. Utilize Available Resources
Take full advantage of the resources provided by your online course platform and instructors. Familiarize yourself with the learning management system (LMS) and explore its features. Access supplementary materials, such as textbooks, lecture slides, and external resources recommended by instructors. Utilize online libraries, research databases, and tutorial services to deepen your understanding of the subject matter.
7. Stay Motivated and Engaged
Maintaining motivation throughout an online course can be challenging, particularly when faced with competing priorities or a lack of face-to-face interaction. Set short-term goals and reward yourself upon their completion. Connect with fellow learners through virtual study groups or online forums to foster a sense of camaraderie. Regularly remind yourself of the benefits and personal growth associated with completing the course successfully.
8. Seek Support and Clarification
Don’t hesitate to seek support or clarification when needed. Reach out to your instructors for guidance or clarification on course material. Utilize online discussion forums to ask questions or engage in collaborative problem-solving. Leverage the support services provided by your course platform or institution, such as technical support or academic advising.
Conclusion
Online courses present unique opportunities for self-paced learning and personal growth. By setting clear goals, creating a productive study environment, actively engaging with course materials, and managing your time effectively, you can maximize your chances of acing online courses. Remember to stay motivated, seek support when needed, and make the most of the available resources. Embrace the flexibility and adaptability of online learning to achieve your educational goals.
Recent Comments