A2: Reminder (Slides and Search)

Just a brief reminder, that all of the slides used during lessons are available online. They include key quotations, concepts and on slide 14 a list of the case studies we have covered and will be covering during the module.

Also, don't forget you can search the blog to find all content related to the unit. Try searching: postmodern or postmodernism.

From Structuralism to Postmodernism

As promised here is your homework... it is in many parts...

First, I want to discuss audience theory in more detail next week. Please read through and make notes on the audience theories covered in the 'Audience' presentation in this post: http://chalfontmediablog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/a2-series-of-student-made-presentations.html

Then read the section on audience in the document, embedded in this post: http://chalfontmediablog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/a2-more-media-theory-courtesy-latymer.html

Second, read through this quotation from Jameson again, and respond to the questions that follow:

"Jameson characterizes postmodern society with four elements: (1) superficiality and lack of depth; (2) the waning of emotion or affect; (3) a loss of historicity; and (4) new technologies. A consequence of this is that people are unable to make sense of an increasingly complex society."

• What are the implications of this?

• How does this support/develop the arguments and ideas that we have encountered with Strinati and Baudrillard?

Third, consider the following statements. Do they accurately reflect the ideas we encountered within each paradigm?

• Structuralism: The 'Media' has the power to control

• Post-structuralism: The 'Media' does not have control

• Postmodernism: The 'Media' is control

A2: The Breakfast Club

Below are the questions you need to complete for Tuesday's lesson, based on your viewing of The Breakfast Club:

1. How do the characters deviate from their normal roles during the detention session? 

2. What is the status of each character prior to the detention session? How does this change during their detention session?

3. Who exhibits power, and how is it conveyed in the movie? 

4. What factors contribute to the group's cohesiveness? 

5. Discuss the role that stereotyping plays in this movie.

Extension: Consider what you learned about audience theories and how you might apply those apposing ideas to this film. For example how might an analysis of the film based on 'Reception Theory' differ from a 'Structuralist' analysis?