Language, Society, and Cultural Criticism

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to sociology, cultural criticism, and language as discussed in the lecture, focusing on the works of authors such as bell hooks and Adrienne Rich.

Society

A group of people who share a collective conscience – common sentiments, concepts, ideas, and rituals.

Cultural Criticism

A field of study that examines cultural phenomena in their social contexts, often critiquing the dominant norms and ideologies.

Sociological Imagination

The ability to see the intricate connection between individual lives and historical forces.

Culture

The totality of learned human behavior, including language, values, norms, customs, and social institutions.

Social Structure

Predictable patterns of belief and behavior within a society.

Social Institutions

Established patterns of social behavior that maintain and reproduce societal norms.

Language

A system of communication used by a particular community or country.

Oppressor's Language

Language that is used to dominate and control; it can also serve as a means of resistance when reclaimed.

Black Vernacular Speech

A form of speech used within Black communities that reflects cultural identity and resistance.

Adrienne Rich

A poet and essayist known for her works addressing issues of oppression, particularly against women and marginalized groups.

bell hooks

An American author and cultural critic known for her work on race, gender, and culture.

Counter-hegemonic Speech

Language that resists and challenges dominant social and cultural narratives.

Standard English

The form of English that is widely accepted as the normal or prestigious form, often associated with social status.

Teaching to Transgress

A pedagogical approach that emphasizes education as a practice of freedom and a means for social change.

Pedagogy

The method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept.

Censorship

The suppression of speech, public communication, or other information.

Ruptured and Broken Speech

Forms of speech that reflect the disconnection and fragmentation of cultural identity, often experienced by marginalized groups.