Analyzing Ideological Position in Media: A Journal Response

Analytical Framework and Terminology

Journal Response Instructions: This assignment is a journal response. First, choose an example of media to analyze (TV episode, film, music video, ad, game, meme, etc.) Next, you must choose an ideological position to address your media form. We’ve covered several so far in the course: Marxism (looking at social class), feminism or gender theory (looking at gender/sexual orientation), and post-colonialism or cultural studies (looking at race). For the purposes of this journal, you must focus on ONE of these ideological areas specifically. Your introductory paragraph should introduce both your chosen media and the ideological position you will be using. Your introductory paragraph should introduce the reader to your selected media, as well as the analytical framework you intend to use. Write a journal detailing how concepts from the course better help you understand your chosen text. Ensure you use appropriate terminology from the course modules/readings! For example, if you are talking about how social class is represented in a film, concepts like “commodity fetishim” or “bourgeoisie hero” may be useful. If you are writing about gender, you may want to freedom of choice, is demonstrated? How much speaking time do different characters get?). If you are talking about race, it may be worth looking at how stereotypes are developed, or aspects of Orientalism, or how certain racial groups are featured more prominently in scenes or storylines than others. Attempt to come to some conclusion following your analysis - it can be simple as “this show reinforces “traditional’ gender values” or “this game can be seen to depict Hispanic characters in a derogatory manner”. Notes that no additional research or citations are required, as this is a journal response and NOT a research essay.