Cultural Studies
Theory that says the media represent ideologies of the dominant class in a society because it is controlled by the elite corporations, and so presents targeted information to the public to maintain their role of power. The media's influence on a culture s
Stuart Hall
Major researcher who developed CST when he questioned the role of media as it was rising in its pervasive nature on human lives and its effects on shaping public opinions of marginalized groups, especially people of color. Has Marxist legacy of thinking t
Assumptions
1. Culture pervades and invades all facets of human behavior.
2. People are part of a hierarchical structure of power.
Alienation
Perception that one has little control over his or her future.
Frankurt School Theorists
A group of scholars who believed that the media were more concerned with making money than with presenting news.
Neo-Marxist
Limited embracement of Marxism.
Ideology
Framework used to make sense of our existence.
Culture Wars
Cultural struggles over meaning, identity, and influence.
Hegemony
The domination of one group over another, usually weaker, group.
False Consciousness
Gramsci's belief that people are unaware of the domination in their lives.
Theatre of Struggle
Competition of various cultural ideologies.
Counter Hegemony
When, at times, people use hegemonic behaviors to challenge the domination in their lives.
Decoding
Receiving and comparing messages.
Dominant Hegemonic Position
Operating within a code that allows one person to have control over another.
Negotiated Position
Accepting dominant ideologies but allowing for cultural exceptions.
Oppositional Position
Substituting alternative messages presented by the media.