REPRESENTATION

COMM 594 Representation: Media Images in the Cultural Circuit, Spring 1999

Tuesdays, 3:30 Ð 6 p.m. University of Illinois, Chicago, 1169 BSB

Kevin G. Barnhurst, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Communication

Hours: Tues. & Thurs. 9 Ð 9:30, 2 Ð 3:30, and by appointment

(312) 413-3231 Office 1148A BSB. E-mail <kgbcomm()uic.edu>

Description

Explores role of media images in the cultural circuit, where meaning emerges not from objects (and products) but from the way they are represented, through verbal and visual language. Analytical approaches include semiotics, form poetics, spectatorship, stereotyping, and genre. Examines representations of race, nation, sex/gender, and power.

Goals: To deepen skills for viewing the media, To increase knowledge and skills needed to analyze visual media, To develop judgment to evaluate media imagery rationale, and To reach these goals, we will join in the following activities:

Viewing. This is a visual course. Every class session will include images Ñ films, slides, videos, and/or printed designs. Always have a magazine, a newspaper, an ad, or even a video with you when you come to class. Begin collecting images to create a source file.

Reading. Each unit will involve reading and completing the exercises from a chapter in the required textbook, and occasionally reading a supplementary article. Required Ñ Hall, Stuart, ed. 1997. Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. London: Sage & Open University.

Discussion. Come prepared to discuss the readings based on your notes from the assigned chapter, including any questions that arose during your reading. Be prepared to hand in these notes. When assigned a supplementary reading, bring typewritten notes to share.

Presentations. Each unit will include an informal (usually small-group) presentation and discussion. One of these will be presented to the entire class, then written as a term paper.

Exams. The two exams will be your opportunity to view samples from the media and demonstrate the analytical skills acquired in class.

Tentative Outline

January 12, Introduction Video, ÒRepresentation and the MediaÓ (Hall)

Unit I. Visible Signs
January 19 How to interpret media images using a basic vocabulary from semiotics. Reading, Chapter 1 Video, Ways of Seeing, Part V. ÒPublicityÓ (Berger) After the video, identify the particular signs and myths Berger mentions (and illustrates). Turn in your list at the end of class.

January 26 Reading, Chapter 1, supplementary readings (as assigned).

February 2 Assignment 1. Select a print ad, list the signs and their meanings, and describe and name the relevant myths. Bring the ad and your typewritten outline for discussion.

Unit II. National Identity
February 9 How to study the ways audience members build media images into their interpretations. Reading, Chapter 2

February 16 Reading, Study the web site www.hbs.edu/units/marketing/zmet/ and read one article link, either /fortune.html or www.fastcompany.com/online/14/zaltman.html Assignment 2. Create a zmet collage and (with a partner) write an interpretation.

Unit III. Stereotyping
February 23 How to read stereotypes and distinguish them from types. Reading, Chapter 4 (not Chapter 3)

March 2 Reading, Chapter 4, supplementary readings (as assigned). Video, ÒEthnic Notions: Black People in White PeopleÕs MindsÓ

March 9 Midterm Exam Using one of the techniques covered in class, analyze an image shown in class.

March 15Ð19, Spring vacation. No classes.

Unit IV. Visual Form
March 23 How to parse the elements and attributes of media images using concepts from formalism. Film, The Wizard of Oz (Fleming) Reading, Chapter 3

March 30 Reading, Chapter 3, supplementary readings (as assigned). Assignment 3. Select a public exhibit, list the elements of its poetics, and describe its politics. Bring drawings or instant snapshots with your typed outline for discussion.

Unit V. Spectatorship
April 6 How to interpret how media images cast or project their audiences. Reading, Chapter 5 and supplementary readings (as assigned).

April 13 Field trip, Meet the group at an agreed-upon shopping district. Make notes about the experience of spectatorship, the codes of masculinity, and other aspects of shopping.

Unit VI. Genre
April 20 How to identify the expectations that genres elicit, focusing on visual imagery. Reading, Chapter 6 and supplementary readings (as assigned).

April 27 Assignment 5. Keep a media consumption diary for one week, examine the TV listings, and watch at least ten minutes of a soap opera (that is, complete all of the activities described in the chapter). Bring your diary and response notes to discuss and turn in.

Wednesday, May 5, 3:30 Ð 5:30 Final exam

Other Policies

Participation in the course is based on attendance, preparedness, contributions to class discussions, gathering a source file of media images, and knowledge of readings (including supplementary, when assigned). The paper grade includes an evaluation of the in-class presentation. Revision of work is encouraged but must be done within one week of receiving feedback on an assignment to alter a grade. Always check in before doing a revision.

Grading Criteria. Participation 25 percent Assignments 35 percent Paper 15 percent Exams, Midterm 10 percent Final 15 percent total 100 percent attendance

Class attendance is essential to your success in the class and to the success of the seminar as a group. If you arenÕt able to come fully prepared to class, please come anyway. YouÕll benefit. Please talk to me in case of illness or another emergency that prevents you from attending class. Be sure to make arrangements if you must turn in work late. Unless due to illness, late work will be penalized (dropped one full grade) for each week.

Enrichment Reading

The following readings are not assigned in the course but you may want to refer to them when you have particular questions.

Adatto, Kiku. 1988. Picture Perfect. New York: Basic.

Barnhurst, Kevin G. 1996. ÒThe Alternative Vision: Lewis HineÕs Men at Work and the Dominant Culture.Ó In Inter-Textualities: Photographs & Literature. Ed. Marsha Bryant. London: Associated University Presses.

Berger, John. 1972. Ways of Seeing. London: BBC/Penguin (also on video).

Craig, Robert L. 1991. ÒDesigning Ethnicity: The Ideology of Images.Ó Design Issues 7.2 (Spring): 34Ð42.

Ewen, Stuart. 1988. All Consuming Images: The Politics of Style in Contemporary Culture. New York: Basic Books. ÑÑÑ. 1996. PR! A Social History of Spin. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Fiske, John, and John Hartley. 1978. Reading Television. New Accents. London: Methuen.

Goethals, Gregor T. 1990. The Electronic Golden Calf: Images, Religion, and the Making of Meaning. Cambridge: Cowley.

Gross, Larry, John Stuart Katz, and Jay Ruby. 1988. Image Ethics: The Moral Rights of Subjects in Photographs, Film, and Television. New York: Oxford.

Leach, William. 1993. Land of Desire: Merchants, Power & the Rise of a New American Culture. NY: Pantheon.

Marchand, Roland. 1985. Advertising the American Dream: Making Way for Modernity, 1920Ð1940. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Margolin, Victor, ed. Design Discourse: History Theory, Criticism. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1989.

Mirsky, Lawrence, and Silvana Tropea, ed. 1995. The News Aesthetic. New York: Cooper Union.

Postman, Neil. 1985. Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business. NY: Viking.

Vinzant, Carol. 1994. ÒFAT: How Celebrities Cost You, the Little Guy, Big Bucks Through the Fabulousness-Added-Tax.Ó Spy 8.4 (February): 34Ð50.

Williamson, Judith. 1978. Decoding Advertisements: Ideology and Meaning in Advertising. London: Boyars.