media lang + rep theory evaluation

What is a strength of Semiotics according to Roland Barthes?

It can be used to analyze a lot of media products and unearth the meaning of a media text.

What is a weakness of Semiotics according to Roland Barthes?

It ignores the possibility for the audience to have different readings and the intentions of the producer in creating specific myths.

What does Barthes' Semiotics ignore about audience interpretation?

It ignores the social, cultural, and historical context of the text, which influences audience understanding.

How does Barthes' Semiotics view meaning?

Meaning is created by the producer of the media text.

What is a strength of Structuralism according to Claude Levi-Strauss?

Binary opposites are easy to identify.

What is a weakness of Structuralism according to Claude Levi-Strauss?

It ignores the possibility for the audience to have different readings.

What does Levi-Strauss' Structuralism say about Western media?

Western media predominantly and consistently favors white over non-white, causing damaging stereotypes (Gilroy).

What is a limitation of binary oppositions in Structuralism?

They are reductive and can cause stereotyping (Hall) and reinforce patriarchal values (Van Zoonen).

What does Butler say about Western gender binaries in relation to Structuralism?

Western gender binaries mask the complex nature of sexuality.

What is a strength of Genre Theory according to Steve Neale?

It explains genre evolution.

What is a weakness of Genre Theory according to Steve Neale?

It oversimplifies as some genres are incredibly complex or deliberately cross boundaries.

How can genre influence audience ideologies?

Through stereotyping and repeated representations (Hall / Van Zoonen / Butler).

What is a consequence of media concentration on genre?

It has led to fewer experimental forms as producers rely on tried and tested media formats to garner mass appeal (Curran and Seaton).

What do mainstream genre tropes reflect and how does this affect marginalized people?

They reflect dominant ideologies and these can exclude marginalized people (hooks).

What is a strength of Post-Modernism according to Jean Baudrillard?

It recognizes the fluidity of current society and how the influx of media content is moving reality further away.

What is a weakness of Post-Modernism according to Jean Baudrillard?

Most audiences can separate media from the real world.

How does Baudrillard's Post-Modernism view media's construction of reality?

It helps audiences consider the 'larger than life' constructions of reality in the media and if these are reflections of reality.

How does Baudrillard's idea of simulation apply today?

His ideas about simulation are even more true today, in a world of AI, virtual reality, deepfakes, and endless digital content.

What critical question does Baudrillard force people to consider?

He forces people to question whether 'truth' or 'reality' really exist independently.

What is a strength of Narratology according to Tzvetan Todorov?

It helps audiences recognize the social and cultural context and ideologies of the media product.

What is a weakness of Narratology according to Tzvetan Todorov?

Story structures are continuously adapting and changing, rather than based on an 'ideal' story structure (Neale & Genre).

According to Todorov, how do narratives help audiences position themselves?

Allows audiences to understand the story and position themselves.

What is a weakness of tzvetzan todorovs narratology

Narratives are not always linear.

What is a strength of Representation Theory in terms of social groups and narrative according to Stuart Hall?

Audiences are able to recognize social groups and better understand the narrative (stereotypes help audiences understand meaning and position themselves).

What is a weakness of Representation Theory according to Stuart Hall?

Gilroy says racial stereotypes are framed by cultural/social/historical aspects so it is harder to challenge black stereotypes as they are so deeply engrained into British cultural psyche.

How does Representation Theory view the role of stereotypes?

Stereotypes help audiences understand characters, build character relatability and reinforce genre & narrative expectations.

What is the Internet allowing audiences to do in relation to Representation Theory?

The internet is allowing audiences to create their own representations which may subvert stereotypes/dominant hegemonies (Clay Shirky).

What is a strength of Postcolonial Theory according to Paul Gilroy?

The media reflects simplified representations and stereotypes of black communities which nurture fear and reinforce the dominant hegemony.

What is a weakness of Postcolonial Theory according to Paul Gilroy?

Ignores the fact that audiences can use a variety of media (especially with the internet) to create their own identities (Gauntlett).

How does Gilroy's Postcolonial Theory view media organizations?

Media organisations are predominantly white and western and will reflect this dominant hegemony, which will then influence the world (cultivation theory).

According to hooks, what intersectional aspect does Gilroy's theory overlook?

bell hooks ‘what about class and gender too?’

What is a strength of Feminist Theory according to Liesbet van Zoonen?

Representations of women can help position our understanding of historical & cultural context and the changing role of women.

What is a weakness of Feminist Theory according to Liesbet van Zoonen?

Contemporary media products give audiences a much wider diversity of gender-based identities to shape their identities and resist the ideological pull of the patriarchy (Gauntlett).

How can representations of women help audiences according to Van Zoonen?

Representations of women can help audiences understand the ideology of the creator.

What is a contemporary limitation of Van Zoonen's Feminist Theory?

Contemporary media means that heteronormativity does not completely dominate, and audiences can create their own version of identity (Gauntlett).

What is a strength of Intersectionality Feminist theory according to bell hooks?

Helps audiences to consider unrepresented groups with less of a voice. Intersectionality widens our understanding of oppression.

What is a weakness of Intersectionality Feminist theory according to bell hooks?

Contemporary media products allow unheard voices to have platforms and develop their own representations (Jenkins, Gauntlett, Shirky) but these can still sometimes be controlled by dominant powers and larger companies (Curran and Seaton).

How does bell hooks Intersectionality Feminist theory make feminism more inclusive?

Makes feminism inclusive.

How does bell hooks Intersectionality Feminist theory influence social groups?

Intersectional media celebrates diversity and gives voice to social groups, influencing how they then see themselves (Guantlett, Gerbner).

What is a strength of Gender Performativity according to Judith Butler?

Challenges fixed ideas of Gender - Butler shows that gender is fluid, not fixed

What is a weakness of Gender Performativity according to Judith Butler?

Contemporary media means that heteronormativity does not completely dominate, and audiences can create their own version of identity (Gauntlett).

How does Butler's Gender Performativity open space for different identities?

Opens space for non-binary, trans, and queer identities.

What is a strength of Identity Theory according to David Gauntlett?

Highlights audiences' ability to be active in their own ability to create their identities

What is a weakness of Identity Theory according to David Gauntlett?

Contemporary media landscape is not diverse but saturated with stereotypical portrayals that reflect wider social inequalities which leads to problematic portrayals of minority groups (Halls).

What does Gauntlett's Identity Theory emphasize about media representations?

emphasises the changing nature of media representations (how the media does not exist in isolation – it both constructs but also reflects modern social norms).

What is a major absence in media portrayals according to hooks?

Portrayals of black women are largely absent from the media and, when they are present, they are prone to produce overly sexualised portrayals.

What colonial mindset is present in British media narratives according to Gilroy?

British media narratives don’t offer diversity but are stuck within a colonial mindset that positions non-whites as threatening, primitive or uncivilised

What aspect does Gauntlett's Identity Theory focus less on?

focuses more on audience creativity and less on how powerful media institutions can still shape dominant ideas about race, gender, beauty, etc.

How does Gilroy’s ideas fit today’s world?

Gilroy’s ideas fit today’s world, where migration, multiculturalism, and global media flows are reshaping identities and cultures.