FILM 113 glossary

Algorithm

A set of computer program rules that sort, filter, and deliver content on digital platforms.

Cyberculture

The culture arising from the internet and digital technologies, including online communities and digital art.

Mediatised

Events or experiences shaped for media representation, emphasising media influence on social life.

Mediatisation

The process by which media technologies shape culture, society and behaviours, integrating media logic into various aspects of life.

Mickey Mouse degree

A derogatory term for university degrees seen as easy or of little real-world value.

Reality

The actual state of things, influenced by media in how we perceive and understand the world.

Deep Mediatisation

A concept that describes how media and communication technologies are deeply embedded in every aspect of social life, fundamentally shaping our realities, institutions and personal relationships.

Discourse

In the context of media and communication, it refers to written or spoken communication and the structures of knowledge that give meaning to how topics are discussed and understood in society.

Media Ecology

An approach that studies media environments as ecosystems, examining how media and communication technologies interact with culture, society and individual behaviour in complex ways.

Media Logic

The theory that new media and communication technologies have their own sets of rules, structures and patterns of thought, which influence how content is produced, distributed and consumed, thereby shaping cultural and social realities.

Recursion

In general terms, it refers to the process of repeating items in a self-similar way. In the context of Media Studies, it can refer to the repetitive nature of media processes or the use of feedback loops in communication and media production.

Remediation

The theory that new media achieve cultural significance by refashioning or incorporating the techniques and forms of older media, thereby shaping the way individuals engage with and understand media content.

Social Construction

A theory that argues that our understanding of reality is shaped through our social interactions and cultural and historical contexts, suggesting that knowledge and truths are constructed, not inherently natural or objective.

Prosumer

An individual who both consumes and produces media content, blurring the traditional distinction between consumers and producers in digital culture.

Participatory Culture

a culture in which private individuals (the public) do not act as consumers only, but also as contributors or producers (prosumers), engaging in the creation and sharing of media content.

Deep mediatisation

A concept that describes how media and communication technologies are deeply embedded in every aspect of social life, fundamentally shaping our realities, institutions and personal relationships.

Media logic

The theory that media and communication technologies have their own sets of rules, structures and patterns of thought, which influence how content is produced, distributed and consumed, thereby shaping cultural and social realities.

Recursion

In general terms, it refers to the process of repeating items in a self-similar way. In the context of Media Studies, it can refer to the repetitive nature of media processes or the use of feedback loops in communication and media production.

Social construction

A theory that argues that our understanding of reality is shaped through our social interactions and cultural and historical contexts, suggesting that knowledge and truths are constructed, not inherently natural or objective.

Connotation

The associative or secondary meaning of a word or expression in addition to its explicit or primary meaning.

Denotation

The direct, literal and specific meaning of a sign, devoid of any emotion, attitude or coloration that might be attached to it.

Iconic sign

A sign that physically resembles or is a likeness of the object it represents.

Indexical sign

A sign that is directly connected to its object by a causal link, physical or otherwise, such as smoke indicating fire or a thermometer reading indicating temperature.

Myth

In Media Studies, it refers to a widely held but false belief or idea that is used to justify social, cultural or political circumstances. It transcends simple storytelling to become a naturalised concept, often taken for granted as being true or natural within a society.

Polysemic

Describing a sign or symbol that can carry multiple meanings or interpretations. In Media Studies, it is open to various interpretations by different audiences, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of its interpreters.

Rhetoric

The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech, images and other compositional techniques.

Semiotics

The study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation. In Media Studies, it is a foundational theory that explores how meaning is constructed and understood through the use of signs (anything that represents something else) in communication.

Sign

The basic unit of meaning in semiotics, which can be a word, image, sound, gesture or object that stands for or represents something else. Signs consist of a signifier (the form that the sign takes) and the signified (the concept it represents).

Signification

The process of creating meaning through the use of signs. In Media Studies, it involves the ways in which signs convey specific meanings to audiences, shaping their understanding of the text, image or sound.

Symbolic sign

A sign where the relationship between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary and based on convention rather than resemblance or causal connection. Language is a primary example, where words are symbolic signs that do not physically resemble what they stand for.

Discourse analysis

A method used in several fields such as linguistics, sociology, anthropology, psychology, and communication studies to examine and understand cultural implications of language. Rather than merely focusing on individual words or sentences, it involves studying larger units of language, such as entire conversations, texts, or collections of texts. It seeks to understand how these larger structures of language help to organize and structure social life, convey meaning, manage relationships, construct identities, and create systems of knowledge.

Echo chamber

A term often used to describe a situation in which beliefs, ideas, or theories are amplified or reinforced by communication and repetition inside a defined system, often without being challenged or fact-checked.

Fake news

Misinformation or disinformation presented as genuine news. This term has become particularly prevalent in the age of digital media, where such false information can spread quickly and easily.

Filter bubble

A term that describes a state of intellectual isolation that can occur when websites make use of algorithms to selectively assume the information a user would want to see based on information about the user, such as location, past click behaviour and search history.

Hegemony

A term that comes from political theory and refers to the dominance of one group over other groups, with or without the threat of force.

Ideology

A set of beliefs, values and ideas that form the basis of a sociopolitical programme, economic system or cultural perspective.

Post-truth

A term that describes a cultural or political condition in which objective facts and truth are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion, personal beliefs or ideologies.

Power

The ability or capacity to influence others' behaviour or the course of events. It can be derived from various sources, such as one's social status, wealth, knowledge, charisma or control over resources.

Data

Raw facts and figures that are processed to create information. In the digital context, it refers to sets of values of qualitative or quantitative variables which can be processed or analysed by computers or other tools.

Information society

A society where the creation, distribution and manipulation of information play a significant economic, political and cultural role. It's marked by a shift from traditional industries to an economy based on information computerisation.

Information technology (IT)

Refers to the use of computers, storage, networking and other devices to process and store data, as well as to create, process, store, secure and exchange all forms of electronic data. It's the backbone of the modern digital world.

Neoliberal capitalist model

An economic model that emphasises the value of free-market competition, deregulation, reduction in government intervention in the economy and the privatisation of state-owned enterprises. It's characterised by the belief in the self-regulating market, where market forces, rather than state interventions, are the best determinants of economic growth and wealth distribution.

Post-Fordism

Refers to the transformation of industrial economies from mass production and mass consumption to more flexible forms of production, emphasising customisation, information technology and decentralised decision-making.

Post-industrial society

Society that emphasises a shift from an economy based primarily on industry and manufacturing to one where services, technology and information dominate.

Post-industrialism

A stage of society's development in which the service sector generates more wealth than the manufacturing sector of the economy. This shift typically involves a decline in industrial production and an increase in information-based services.

Conglomerate

A large corporation composed of diverse companies or divisions in various, often unrelated industries, usually as a result of mergers or acquisitions.

Consolidation

The process where smaller companies, or their assets, are combined into a single entity, often leading to fewer companies controlling a market or industry.

Cultural imperialism

The domination of one culture over others through cultural products or media, leading to the imposition of its values, languages and behaviours.

Democratised

The process of making something accessible and participatory for a broader, more diverse group of people, often implying equal rights and opportunities.

Digital capitalism

An economic system where digital technology plays a central role in the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services.

Digital divide

The gap between those who have ready access to computers and the internet, and those who do not, leading to disparities in information access and technological skills.

Diversification

The strategy of entering into different markets or creating a variety of products to reduce reliance on a single source of revenue or market.

Global media

Media organisations and content that have a worldwide reach and influence, transcending national borders and cultural boundaries.

Globalisation

The process of interaction and integration among people, companies and governments worldwide, often driven by international trade and investment aided by information technology.

Glocalisation

A combination of 'globalisation' and localisation', where a product or service is developed and distributed globally but is also adjusted to accommodate the user or consumer in a local market.

Homogenisation

The process of making things uniform or similar, often used in the context of culture where diverse cultures become standardised through mass media and consumer culture.

Imagined community

A concept that describes how a nation is a socially constructed community, imagined by the people who perceive themselves as part of that group.

Local media

Media outlets that focus on local or regional news, events and interests, catering to a specific geographic area or community.

National media

Media that caters to a national audience, typically covering news and issues of national significance and reflecting the broader national culture.

Neoliberalism

An economic and political ideology that favours free-market capitalism, deregulation and reduction in government spending.

Net locality

The concept that the internet is increasingly intertwined with local spaces and practices, with online activities being grounded in specific local contexts.

Big Data

Refers to extremely large data sets that may be analysed computationally to reveal patterns, trends and associations, especially relating to human behaviour and interactions. It's chatacterised by its volume, velocity and variety.

Biopower

A concept introduced by Michel Foucault that refers to the practice of modern states and their regulation of subjects through "an explosion of numerous and diverse techniques for achieving the subjugations of bodies and the control of populations.”

Digital oil

A metaphor often used to describe data's value in the modern economy. Just like oil in the 20th century, data is seen as a crucial, highly valuable resource that drives innovation, economic growth, and competitive advantage in the digital age.

Digital economy

Refers to an economy that is based on digital computing technologies. It encompasses all business, economic, social and cultural activities that are supported by the web and other digital communication technologies.

Feudalism

A historical economic and social system in medieval Europe, where society was structured around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange for service or labour. It was characterised by a hierarchy of lords, vassals and serfs.

Platform capitalism

A term that describes a new economic and social system where digital platforms (e.g. social media, e-commerce sites) play a central role in mediating economic transactions and social interactions, often capitalising on data and network effects.

Polarisation

The process by which opinions, perspectives or approaches in a society become divided into two significantly opposing sides, often leading to increased tension and conflict within social or political contexts.

Utopia

A term used to describe an imagined community or society with highly desirable or nearly perfect qualities for its citizens. The concept often explores ideals and ethical considerations in social, political and moral aspects.

Media Texts (Form and Content)

Medium/Technology

Ecology/Environment

Reality (Society and Culture)

Atomisation

Refers to the process of breaking down a larger whole into separate, individual pieces or units, often leading to isolation among the units or individuals.

Attention economy

A concept where human attention is treated as a scarce commodity, and the success of media content is determined by its ability to capture and hold attention.

Audience commodity

A term from Media Studies that describes how audiences themselves become products that are sold to advertisers by media companies, especially in contexts where content is free to consumers.

Cultural capital

Refers to non-financial social assets, such as education, intellect, style of speech, dress or physical appearance, which promote social mobility beyond economic means.

Data profile

A collection of data points and information about an individual, often used by companies to tailor services and advertisements, or for analytical purposes, typically gathered from online activity and behaviours.

Digital objects

Items that exist in digital form, including text, images, videos and software, which can be stored, transmitted and accessed electronically.

Feudalism

A historical term describing a social and economic system in medieval Europe where land was held by nobles in exchange for military service, and labourers worked the land in return for protection; it's sometimes used metaphorically to describe modern power structures.

Produser

A portmanteau of 'producer' and 'user', which refers to individuals who both consume and produce content, especially in digital contexts like social media, where users can contribute to the content ecosystem.

Self-tracking

Involves the use of technology to collect data on one's own activities, behaviours, health and productivity, often with the goal of self-improvement or optimisation.

Social capital

Refers to the networks, relationships and norms that facilitate collective action and cooperation within a community, contributing to its members' social and economic benefits.

Unending consumption

Describes a consumer culture phenomenon where individuals are continuously engaged in the acquisition of goods, services and content, often driven by advertising and the availability of diverse media platforms.

Virtual items

Non-physical objects that exist within digital environments, such as video games or online communities, including in-game currency, clothing for avatars or digital collectibles.

Genre

A specific category or type of artistic, creative or literary work that shares common characteristics. These characteristics could relate to the content, style, structure or theme of the work.

Formalism

Emphasises analysing media by focusing on its structure and form rather than content or context. It suggests that a work's meaning is closely tied to its stylistic and structural elements.

Structuralist genre theory

Doesn't just analyse individual texts, but seeks to identify the shared structural elements across many texts within a genre. These shared conventions form a kind of framework or 'grammar' that governs how a text of a certain genre is created and understood.

Poststructuralist genre theory

Challenges many of the assumptions held by other theories about genre. It rejects the idea of fixed, stable genre categories and instead emphasises fluidity, hybridity and the deconstruction of traditional genre boundaries.

Hybridity

Challenges the binary oppositions of coloniser and colonised, suggesting that cultural production is marked by a mix of influences that emerge from the interaction between the coloniser and the colonised.

Attention economy

A concept where human attention is treated as a scarce commodity, and the success of media content is determined by its ability to capture and hold attention.

Audience commodity

A term from Media Studies that describes how audiences themselves become products that are sold to advertisers by media companies, especially in contexts where content is free to consumers.

Data profile

A collection of data points and information about an individual, often used by companies to tailor services and advertisements, or for analytical purposes, typically gathered from online activity and behaviours.

Algorithm

A set of instructions or rules designed to perform a specific task or solve a particular problem. It's a step-by-step procedure used in computations.

Artificial Intelligence

Refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. It can encompass anything from Google's search algorithms to advanced robotics.

Machine Learning

A subset of AI, it involves training computers to learn from and interpret data without being explicitly programmed for each task. It uses statistical techniques to enable machines to improve at tasks with experience.

Weak AI

Designed for a specific task. It appears intelligent but operates under a limited pre-defined range or context. Examples include chatbots and virtual personal assistants.

Strong AI

Refers to a type of AI that has the ability to understand, learn and apply its intelligence to a wide range of problems, much like a human brain. It's not limited to specific tasks and can generalise its intelligence.

Medium Theory

Theoretical approach that seeks to explain how media (ie TV & radio), shape human behaviour and cultural values.

Cultural Codes

Recognition and interpretation of these images depend on shared social knowledge and histories, underscoring how meaning is made and remade through cultural processes.