Media Language Theories Flashcards
What is Barthe’s Theory on?
Semiotics
What is Todorov’s Theory on?
Narratology
What is Neale’s Theory on?
Genre
What is Levi-Strauss’ Theory on?
Structuralism
What is Baudrillard’s Theory on?
Postmodernism
Explain the Postmodernism theory, and who talks about it.
Baudrillard’s theory of postmodernism covers the idea that in a postmodern society, it is not possible to tell the difference between reality and simulation.
How does the Postmodernism theory relate to media, and who talks about it?
Media images that are supposed to be a representation of reality, have become a new and more real quality or ‘hyperreality’.
Explain the Genre theory, and who talks about it.
Neale’s theory on Genre covers the idea that it is important that genre be recognisable in order for institutions to market media texts that will appeal to audiences.
How is the idea of the genre theory achieved, and who talks about it?
Repeated, recognisable and identifying features will be used in order to achieve this. However, genres evolve and overlap, borrowing features from each-other.
Explain the Structuralism theory, and who talks about it.
Levi-Strauss’ theory on structuralism covers the idea that meaning is created through pairs of binary oppositions.
For example: Good vs Evil.
How does the structuralism theory relate to media, and who talks about it?
Levi-Strauss’ theory shows that conflict between opposites which moves the narrative on and the resolution of conflict may provide an ideological stance.
Explain the narratology theory, and who talks about it.
Todorov’s theory on narratology covers the ideas of basic narrative structure.
Equilibirum –> Distrubtion –> New Equilibrium.
Explain the semiotics theory, and who talks about it.
Barthe’s theory on semitotics covers the idea that media texts/products communicate ideas and messages through signification. Signs are decoded and interpreted by the audience through denotation or connotations.
What does denotation mean?
What you actually see and hear.
What does connotation mean?
What is suggested or inferred by media text.
