Final Exam Flashcards
discourse
refers to a distinct area of social knowledge and the linguistic practices associated with it
- defines rules about speech or writing
- who is permitted to speak with authority
fact vs. representation
fact: direct statement that reflects reality, unproblematic in truth
representation: subjective construction, a version of realty, changes over time
identity
refers to an individuals unique personality or self, arose in late 18th century
- linked to liberal individualism
- affects personal experiences
- framed by membership
subjectivity
refers to how a person’s perspectives, experiences, and values shae their perception of reality
social construction theory
the idea that what we understand as reality is constructed by culture
- challenges the idea that identity is fixed or unchanging
- power is central in understanding how identities are formed
semiotics
the study of sign systems
- reveals the relationship between 2 parts of a sign
- arbitrary and determined by social convention
gender binary
the idea that gender exists at 2 opposite poles
-strictly male or female
essentialist theories
idea that identity has a fundamental unchanging core of meaning that precedes and transcends culture and politics
-evaluate relations of power
feminist theories
sex, gender and sexuality are historically produced
-combines psychoanalysis and Marxism to analyze how gender is shaped by patriarchy
patriarchy
“rule of the father”
-refers to the power system organized by male authority and privilege
the history of homosexuality:
“homosexual” category emerged in 18th century to draw a distinction between normal and deviant sexual preferences
-until 1974, homosexuality was considered a mental illness
disability studies
critical disability theorists challenge conventional ideas about what constitutes “normal” and “abnormal” bodies
-examines the power of science and medicine with regard to those with disabilities
nation
an imagined community of people who believe to be similar or connected by a common identity (usually religious, ethnic, or racial)
- share a common past and future
- beliefs are usually nurtured by a common language and sense of otherness from other groups
nation-state
refers to a political system in which state power rests on a bed of national identity
state
the political and bureaucratic institutions, practices and policies that govern a national territory and population
civilizing mission
the cultural rationale for colonization
-the claim that colonialism’s goal was to turn primitive and uncivilized societies into progressive ones
post colonialism
indicates establishment of independent states by formally colonized nations
orientalism
“the Orient” is an imagined region described by European colonial historians
- comprised of the middle east and Asia
- the west defines itself to be superior
sub cultures
has its own beliefs, norms and values but can exist in mainstream culture
- united by common interests and experiences
- mostly underground
- “fads”, may or may not be political
ex) goths
counter culture
goes against pop culture
- create change, large movements, specific political aims
- views the majority as unjust, discriminatory, limiting
- draws on sub cultures
ex) hippies, feminists
maquiladoras
spanish term for factories located along the US-Mexico border as a result of NAFTA
-provides cheap labour for TNCs
neo-liberalism
modern and advanced form of economic liberalism is modern western society
- the dominant ideology of globalization
- intensify capitalism by removing all Gov influence in economic matters through privatization
- increase inequality and poverty, places greater importance on free markets than public well-being
cultural sovereignty
refers to the possession of legal control and governance over cultural processes and products
-Canada attempts to d this through CRTC to protect Canadian content
multinational corporation
any firm that extends itself outside of national boundaries and works simultaneously in many countries
transnational corporation
a firm that operates on a global scale and works, to a greater or lesser extent, outside of national jurisdiction
3 theories of identity:
Essentialist
Social construction
Feminist
