Discuss The Role Of Media Studies In Making Sense Of The Political, Economic, And Cultural Meaning Of Everyday Life

1250 words - 5 pages

The term 'media' is defined by the Australian Oxford Dictionary as 'mass communications, especially newspapers and broadcasting, regarded collectively.' More specifically, the media is made up of the mass circulation press, the cinema, radio, television and recently, the Internet. The media constantly exposes us, as the audience, to an enormous quantity of ideas about elements of everyday life. Among other things, we are exposed to ideas about politics, culture, and economics, both voluntarily and involuntarily, and we are challenged to make sense of what exactly they mean to us as individuals, and members of society.It is through previously established theoretical traditions and research methodologies developed in countries all over the world that enable us to form knowledge and opinion about different elements within the media. The theoretical conventions include those of the American 'Empiricism', European Critical Theory, Western 'Marxism', British Cultural Studies, Political Economy, and French Structuralism and Semiology.Investigating these methodologies, along with exposure to media itself, can assist us in understanding the relationship between the text, the producer, and the audience, and therefore make sense of the political, economic and cultural meaning of everyday life.Studying the media is a concept that has only been existent for a short amount of time and is controversial due to the media's rapid expansion andThe worth of media studies itself includes the preparation for media practice, as well as the preparation for skilled reception by the audience, which we are all a part of. For this reason, media studies in society is a vital skill which will continue to be relevant well into the future.Media studies allows us to examine elements of the media and its affect on audiences, whilst investigating the influences that make up the media that we are familiar with. Cunningham and Turner describe briefly the way in which media shapes our way of thinking and allows us to further our ideas and opinions on particular issues. "We learn about world politics from our newspapers, radio news broadcasts and TV; while we may be aware that the views we receive are necessarily brief and partial, they play an important part in our conception of the world." (The Media and Communications in Australia, 2002)It is difficult to determine exactly how he media affects its audience, as the results are different between individuals. For example, drug use in a movie may deter someone from wanting to use drugs, whilst tempting another to try them. This shows how vital it is to study the media and the particular ways in which it affects its audience.It is essential that we continue to try and make sense of exactly how the media influences our society in order to prevent negative effects. When doing this, we should look into theoretical traditions of media is history such as the American 'empirical traditions and Western 'Marxism'J.B Thompson states his ideas about the important role media plays in self-formation, "individuals are able to gain access to new forms of knowledge which are no longer transmitted face-to-face. "Individuals' horizons of understanding are broadened... shaped increasingly by the expanding networks of mediated communication." (The Media and Modernity: A Social Theory of the Media, 1995). This proves the importance of media in everyday life in our society. We are assisting in shaping our own ideas and opinions through the media, in much the same way that we are influenced by people around us.When speaking of such influences, we must examine further the specific elements of everyday life and the way in which theoretical traditions have influenced how we think of the media to this day. Politics are all around us. Political issues can exist in the workplace and at home, as well as in our local, state and federal governments. The general public relies on the media to communicate political messages that could possibly effect how society is run. Unfortunately, the concept of politics controls a lot of what see in the media, and often it is difficult to determine what political content may have been manipulated in order to influence the audience's views.Political economy "one of the strongest and longest traditions in media studies." (Cunningham and Turner, The Media & Communications in Australia 2002)The economic meaning of everyday life relates to the production, development, and management of material wealth, as of a country, household, or business enterprise (The Australian Oxford Dictionary). The Frankfurt/Marxist School has contributed understandings of economic meanings, as too has the Political Economy. In terms of the economic realities which limit and organise other considerationsCultural studies is an Australian tradition that is heavily influenced by British Cultural studies and helps us to understand what role culture plays in our society. The Australian Oxford Dictionary defines the word culture as 'intellectual and artistic achievement or expression' and usually refers to a particular civilisation or group.In conclusion, it is important to highlight that media studies is necessary in today's society in order to make sense of how the media affects us in different ways. We are encouraged to investigate how the media affects our every day life, for example in terms of politics, culture, and economics; and begin to make sense of why we react to the media in the way that we do.These three concepts are interrelated and cover the basis ofMedia Studies provides us with theories and concepts that assist in understanding the role of media in society and its affects on ourselves, as the audience, in terms of everyday matters relating to politics, economy and culture.Looks at different traditions in Western, British and Australian media. The British media is characterised by the class system of Britian which results in newspapers that speak to the different classes of British society. There is little analysis in this system, much like the American tradition which is described as 'empirical'. In practice, this method of journalism is not so much an analysis, but a description of events.In contrast, European media takes a more analytical stance and embraces what is known as 'Marxist' analysis, which looks at issues such as how wealth is distributed in society.In Australia, we have inherited the British tradition with papers marketed to popular and educated readers (eg. Herald Sun and The Age) and a television media that is largely in the American tradition of description rather than analysis.ReferencesCunningham and Turner, The Media and Communications in Australia, 2002, Allen & UnwinBazalgette, G. "Why Media Studies is Worthwhile" in D. Fleming (ed.), Formations. A 21st Century Media Studies Textbook, Manchester University Press, Manchester, 2000, pp.5-14.Thompson, J.B. "Self and Experience in a Mediated World", The Media and Modernity: A Social Theory of the Media, Stanford University Press, Stanford, 1995, pp.209-219Australian Oxford Dictionary, Oxford University Press Australia, 1996

More like Discuss The Role Of Media Studies In Making Sense Of The Political, Economic, And Cultural Meaning Of Everyday Life

The Social And Political Role Of The Media - Cdu And Nursing - Essay

423 words - 2 pages Free ... Task:  Essay (Media assessment)  Value:  40% Due date:  Monday, Midnight Week 13 Length:   2,000 - 2500 words (excluding references) Instructions :  This is a written assignment, students are expected to: Critically analyse the role and power of the Australian media. Its influence and potential impact on culturally safe health care in multicultural Australian society. Please use two media articles  For the purposes of this assignment, the ...

The Importance Of Psychology In Everyday Life

517 words - 3 pages Free ... To discuss the importance of Psychology in our everyday lives we must first understand what Psychology is. The definition of Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental process; however, it can be applied to many other things in life. Everything we do in life is related to Psychology. Psychology is basically the study of who we are, why we are that way, and also what we can become.Psychology is important in many different ways, one ...

Discuss The Importance Of Language In The Development Of The Nation State And / Or Cultural Identity

3439 words - 14 pages ... - proper, Elizabethan English - resulting in a cultivated, unique version of English, exclusive to the peoples of the Caribbean. This in turn influenced the underground African languages, so that when they surfaced they were forced to adapt to a new cultural environment in order to survive. Brathwaite believes that these languages, particularly Caribbean English, have had a major role in developing Caribbean culture and way of life. For example ...

Political, Psychological, Economic And Social Aftermath Of The Black Death

2542 words - 11 pages ... more productive culture was needed to prevent famine. Europe started produced a monoculture of wheat because the wheat had the highest yields per seed. This change leaded to overcultivation and soil exhaustion then outstripped food production so, famine was eminent. Two important time periods played a crucial role in the breakdown of Europe's agriculture and these time periods affected the entire European continent. Population suffered ...

Paper On What Is The Meaning Of Life?

1457 words - 6 pages Free ... statements are criticisms of Christianity and religious believe in general. This brings me to my next concept of the meaning of life, theistic beliefs.There are numerous religious beliefs with many different values and practices, but the essential meaning of life in a theistic sense is to live a good life based on the "golden rule", "Love your neighbor as yourself" -Moses, "Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you." -Muhammad, "What you do not wish ...

Social, Political, And Economic Canadian Events Of WW2 - Social Studies 10 - Assignment

2398 words - 10 pages ... WAR  a. The demand of a total war meant the government had to take a bigger  role in planning and controlling the economy  SOCIAL  POLITICAL  ECONOMIC  b. Department of Munitions and Supply  c. HOWE: C.D. Howe was given the authority to do whatever it took to  prepare the economy to meet wartime demands. He told industries what  to produce and how to produce it, business owners to manufacture goods  they've never made before, farmers to produce ...

A Well-lighted Place: Loneliness And The Meaning Of Life - Brooklyn College - Analysis Of Two Stories

1435 words - 6 pages ... throughout the story reflects many components or definitions of contentment and one’s will to live. Hemingway’s existentialism examines the question of loneliness and its role in finding the meaning in life. By alluding to several attempts by the old man to find fulfillment, he presents a theme about individual happiness. He accomplishes this in part through the characters, who represent different types of loneliness. Their loneliness shows that loss ...

Assess The Impact Of Social, Political And Economic Issues In Early Twentieth Century Russia In The Downfall Of The Romanov Dynasty

1212 words - 5 pages ... Untitled "Assess the impact of social, political and economic issues in early twentieth century Russia in the downfall of the Romanov Dynasty." The downfall of the Romanov dynasty was due to the impacts of bearing internal factors on Russia such as the social, political and economic issues present in early twentieth century Russia. These issues were largely manufactured by previous generations of Tsars but ultimately set ...

Discuss The Role Of Global Governance In Areas Of Conflic - Geography - Essay

844 words - 4 pages ... Discuss the role of global governance in areas of conflict Global governance involves the movement towards political cooperation among transnational actors, aimed at negotiating responses to problems that affect more than one state or region, meaning it is necessary in areas of conflict which are states of opposition between ideas and interests etc. Global governance is necessary in maintaining peace in areas of conflict and because of this ...

The Creation Of Meaning. What Is Meaning?

537 words - 3 pages ... subject related lexis, which requires "insider knowledge" to unlock the meaning. This can also happen when, for example, we enter into the middle of a conversation, therefore not knowing what the initial topic of conversation was and thus not immediately understanding what is being discussed.The sense and meaning of a word or phrase can be interpreted in different ways. This is due to factors such as, confusion of sense because of sound ...

The Meaning Of Training And Development

3965 words - 16 pages ... , Training and Development (T&D) can be the most important HRM function to treat people well and increase the competitive power for the organizations. Training refers to improving competencies needed today or very soon. In comparison, development refers to activities intended to improve competencies over a long period of time (Jackson & Schuler, 2003, p350-351). Training and development, although different from their focus, are of course ...

‘discuss The Role Of Women In Homer’s Iliad.’ - Monash University - Essay

842 words - 4 pages ... ‘Discuss the role of women in Homer’s Iliad with particular reference to the character of Andromache.’ The role of women in Homer’s Iliad is one which is often overshadowed by their male counterparts. Much of the Iliad is focused on glory in battle and the heroic code, however Homer still manages to include scenes which show the effects of war on women. While Helen is generally considered to be the main female mortal character in the Iliad, I ...

‘post Feminism’ Has Become One Of The Most Fundamental, Yet Contested Notions In Feminist Studies - Cultural Studies - Essay

2004 words - 9 pages ... ‘Post Feminism’ has become one of the most fundamental, yet contested notions in feminist and cultural studies. Post feminism has no fixed meaning, and the term is used variously and more frequently contradictorily to signal a historical shift towards the female gender. Post feminism is mainly located in the academic context of television and cultural studies, in the media context of popular culture and within consumer culture. Post feminism is ...

19th Century European Imperialism Data Based Essay; Identify And Explain The Political, Economic, And Social Causes Of European Imperialism In The 19th Century

406 words - 2 pages Free ... contributed to the need to pull ahead of other nations in the technological field. In Document one, "Imperialism and World Politics," Parker T. Moon argues that above political leaders, economic powerhouses were most interested in imperialism because of the need for raw materials. He continues to discuss the urgency of European companies to invest in the colonies in order to make new profit. Then, in Document two, Senator A. J. Beveridge debates how it ...

What Is The Meaning Of The Electoral College - City College/political Science - Essay

1616 words - 7 pages ... . And the electoral college was designed to represent each state’s choice for the presidency. To abolish or change the electoral college in favor of a popular election for president would strike at the very heart of the federal structure laid out in our constitution. Some argue that state viewpoints are more important than political minority viewpoints. And the opinion of the individual state populations is more important than the opinions of the ...