media language Flashcards
What theory is Roland Barthes?
Semiotics
Roland Barthes - summary
The elements of a media text are codes which need to be read. They can be read on a denotative or connotative level
what is a connotation and denotation? (roland barthes)
connotation: the meanings associated with or suggested by the sign
denotation: ‘literal’ or common sense meaning of the sign
what is Tzvetan Todorov’s theory?
Narratology
Summary of Todorov’s theory.
Narrative follows a simple pattern, typically in chronological order
What are the 5 stages suggested by Todorov?
1) equilibrium
2) disruption
3) recognition
4) resolution
5) new equilibrium
What is Steve Neale’s theory?
Genre Theory
Steve Neale genre theory summary.
genre is recognisable but does not change over time or borrow from other genres. Genre is important because it helps market texts with specific characteristics
Steve Neale: ‘the idea that genre may be…..’
‘…dominated by repetition but they are also marked by differences, variation and change.’
Steve Neale: ‘the idea that genre….’
‘….change,develop and vary as they borrow from and overlap one another’
Steve Neale: ‘the idea that genres exist within….’
‘….. specific economic, institutional and industrial contexts.’
What is Claude Levi-Strauss’ theory?
Structuralism
Summary of Levi-Strauss structuralism theory?
the conflict between binary oppositions drives forward the narrative
According to Levi-Strauss how can texts be examined?
through an examination of their underlying structure
What is media dependent on (Levi-Strauss)
pairs of opposites (binary opposites) - the way they are resolved can have particular ideological significance
Name Jean Baudrillards theory?
Postmodernism
Summary of Baudrillard’s postmodernism theory.
the lines between created texts and reality are becoming blurred (hyper-reality: can no longer distinguish between the lines of reality and representations of reality through images and connotations in the texts
