Overview
For this assignment, you will choose a popular culture example you want to analyze using ideological approaches learned in class. This can be a television/streaming program, a podcast, film, or game. You will write your second paper on the same example, if possible.
Purpose
The goal of the exercise is for you to consider how a particular media example plays a role in broader social constructions and ideas. This paper gives you the opportunity to use media analysis on a cultural example that interests you. In the process, you will apply critical and analytical thinking and explore the ethical impact of popular culture.
Length:
35 pages, double spaced, 1-inch margins
Sources:
Required: At least one scholarly reading from Unit 1 (journal article or scholarly book chaptergenerally not urls).
Required: Chicago or APA style: Use proper citations for sources and for your media example. See Purdue Ow (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.l for guidance.
Instructions:
Using information about Ideology and meaning (Nealon, Applequist, Castleberry, Hall) reflect on the following:
How does my chosen text utilize hegemony and/or counter-hegemony? Or, do an encoding/decoding analysis. Either way, make sure to do the following:
Describe the program, including the basic premise and details that are critical to your analysis (such as character, language, setting)
Illustrate how the program/film operates ideologically using details that function hegemonically or that are encoded.
See Castleberry or Applequist for models, but do your own explanatory work (i.e., dont define the theory by simply quoting).
Your paper must include:
A clearly articulated thesis statement
An introduction in which you establish your major lines of argument regarding the role the film or TV show plays within the larger structure of the media industry and the approach that you have chosen to analyze the text (hegemony/counter-hegemony or encoding/decoding).
A body that expands upon and provides arguments and evidence to support your thesis (see below):
Clearly define and explain the theoretical approach you are using
Draw on the theoretical approach to analyze the media text of your choice. Use the above questions under each option to hone your analysis.
Support your claims with details and illustrations that relate to your media text
Utilize the concepts provided in course readings and discussions to support your arguments and analyses
A brief conclusion in which you point to the political stakes and implications of your argument.
(Links to an external site.)
