Page 176 - A Handbook Genre Studies in Mass Media

IDEOLOGICAL APPROACH

a. What current event is being “discussed” in the program?
b. How does the genre lend itself to the allegorical presentation?
c. Support your interpretation through the “text” (program).
6. Worldview: Examine a still photograph of an ad. What is the pre-
vailing ideological worldview in the media presentation?
a. What culture or cultures populate this world?
1. What kinds of people populate this world?
2. What is the ideology of this culture?
b. What do we know about the people who populate this world?
1. Are characters presented in a stereotypical manner?
2. What does this stereotype tell us about the cultural attitudes
toward this group?
c. Does this world present an optimistic or pessimistic view of
life?
1. Are the characters in the presentation happy?
2. Do the characters have a chance to be happy?
d. Are people in control of their own destinies?
1. Is there a supernatural presence in this world?
2. Are the characters under the influence of other people?
e. What does it mean to be a success in this world?
1. How does a person succeed in this world?
2. What kinds of behavior are rewarded in this world?
3. What is “the good life?”
7. Examine the introduction of a sample of genric programs to identify
ideology.
a. In what ways does the premise furnish perspective into ideology?
b. In what ways does the title serve as an indication of ideology?
1. The title of the genre
2. The title of genric programs
8. Examine a selection of programs belonging to a genre, focusing on
social class.
a. Who (which classes) appear on programs (e.g., number of
laborers depicted on soap operas or the number of lower-class
members that appear as contestants on game shows)?
b. What roles do they play in the program?
c. What is the relationship between social class and the following
elements:
1. Race
2. Religion

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