Media Theories

Semiotics Person

Roland Barthes

Saussure

Semiotics

study of signs

the study of signs and meaning texts communicate their ideas through signification

signs function at a literal level (signifier, denotation) as well as a figurative level (signified, connotation)

exposure to certain symbolic constructions can become self-evident, as the signs becomes myth through naturalization

Saussure

sign; object/thing

signified; mental concept

signifier; physical existence (sound, word, image)

Narratology Person

Tzvetan Todorov

Narratology

all narratives share a basic structure, moving from 1 equilibrium to another

these 2 states of equilibrium are seperated by disruption or imbalance

the way that narratives resolve can have ideological significance

Genre Theory Person

Steve Neale

Genre Theory

genres are dominated by repetition of codes and conventions but must alos incorporate difference variation and change

genres change as they borrow from and overlap with each other (hybridity and subgenres)

genres exist within specific economic, institutional and industrial contexts

Structuralism Person

Claude LéVistraus

Structuralism

texts can be understood through an analysis of their underlying

meaning is often produced trhough oppositional pairs

the resolution of these binary opposites can have ideological significance

Post Modernism Person

Jean Beaudrillard

Post Modernism

the boundries the ‘real’ and ‘mediated ’ worlds have collapsed

Intertextuality

blending different media forms

Self-referentiality

Acknowledging the artificiality of media

Pastiche

blending high and low culture

Irony and Paradox

using ___ to challenge accepted narratives

breaking the fourth wall

drawing the attention to the filmmaking process

Parody

using ___ to subvert expectations

theories of representations person

stuart hall

theories of representation

the production of meaning through language (a system of signs)

Theories of identiy Person

david gauntlett

theories of identity

media helps us to construct to our identities

postcolonial theory person

paul gilroy

postcolonial theory

exploring the legacy of colonialism and imperialism

feminist theory person

liesbet van zoonen

feminist theory

gender is cnstructed throguh discourse

industry theories person

james curran

jean seaton

Industry theories

power and media industries theory

media is driven by the logic of power and profit primarliy

regulation theory person

sonia livingstone

peter lunt

regulation theory

there is an underlying struggle between the need to further the interests of citizens and the interests of consumers