Introductions: Theory: Examples: Summaries: Applicaitons: Process:
The set of beliefs required to decode meaning is often called mythology or ideology. These are generally social, moral, and political belief systems that are culturally constructed.
Social behavior and cultural texts are political in the sense that they reflect a personal or group interest, set of values, or worldview. In a sense politics can be seen as the playing out/expression/contest of ideologies through cultural products/images/texts.
Examples:
Honeymooners (1951-1956)
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Lower working class incapable of consumerism, male/female roles are more equal, she often has the upper hand, every show displays conflicts of life—marriage, work, money, friends.
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Upper-middle consumer class, male primary role, woman subordinate role, no conflict—everything is represented as an ideal type.
These two shows can be seen as reflecting a change in ideology that happened at the beginning of the 50s.
(The Honeymooners began as a radio show in the late 40s.)
Click for more on 50s TV.