MIGRAIN: Ideology - final tasks

MIGRAIN: Ideology - final tasks

Page 34: The World Of Mockingjay: Ideology, Dystopia And Propaganda

1) Read the article and summarise it in one sentence.

In this article I will analyse the dystopian representation of capitalist society in the latest Hunger Games film and the series as whole, drawing attention to elements where media theory can be most usefully applied.

2) What view of capitalist ideology is presented in the Hunger Games films?

We can see that the ruling class keep the poor under control through civic means; armies of ‘Peacekeepers’ are sent to control each district and to punish anyone who tries to defy the authority.

3) What do the Hunger Games films suggest about the power of the media to shape and influence ideological beliefs?

President Snow's beliefs; a man who believes more in himself than the people in his country. 

Page 48: They Live - Understanding Ideology

1) Read the article and summarise it in one sentence.

In this article I will attempt to unpick one of the most complex and difficult aspects of the Media Studies curriculum: the concept of ideology.

2) What are the four accepted ideological beliefs in western societies highlighted by the article?

• People should put their families first.

• People should work hard for their money.

• Women should behave in feminine ways, and look after their appearance.

3) What does Gramsci's theory of hegemony suggest about power and ideology in society?

Hegemony is the ability of the dominant class to project its own way of seeing the world so that those who are dominated by it (the masses), accept it as ‘common sense’ and ‘natural’.

4) What does French theorist Louis Althusser suggest about ideology and consumerism?

5) Do YOU agree with the idea behind They Live - that we are unthinkingly controlled by the media which is run in the interests of the economic elite? These are the big questions of A Level Media!

I agree because we are all under the influence of the media in one way or another without realisation and the economic elite does have participation to this as well; we just don't realise it.