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Sites of Culture
Spaces and Places
Fictions
Objects of Desire
Theoretical Approaches
Critical Social Theory (Marxism, neo-Marxism, Hegemony Theory)
Feminism
Postmodernism.
Postcolonialism
Poststructuralism
Queer Theory.
Key Concepts
Ideology
Power
Mode of Address
Discourse
Identity
Narrative
Technology
 Microreader - set of readings and questions for A2 by Peter Bennett
Word 2007 version |
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This is the synoptic unit (that means it expects you to use knowledge from all units and everything you have learnt on the course). It is in the form of a formal exam - timing and marks outlined in the box above.
Content
There are three areas you will be expected to use and know about:
• Theoretical Approaches e.g feminist, Marxist etc (see links in left-hand margin)
• Key Concepts e.g ideology, power
• Sites of Culture e.g Spaces and Places, Fictions and Objects of Desire
There is a sample question for this module posted by the Chief Examiner, for teachers to comment on - please click here for a link to the Comms and Culture social network - feel free to leave your comments.
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What is a 'theoretical approach'?
A theoretical approach is looking at an aspect of society or culture from a particular point of view. For example, if we were going to look at fashion from a feminist perspective then we would be considering this from the point of view of different genders, particularly females. We might look at how fashion has restricted women's behaviour but also reflected changing attitudes to women e.g the mini skirt reflected changing attitudes to women's sexuality in the 1960s when the Pill was first introduced.
You are expected to show that you have a broad awareness of the theoretical approaches listed in the left-hand margin and can apply them to aspects of culture and consumption in society today.
Key Concepts
You need to be familiar with how the key concepts listed below apply to your chosen area of study (Cultural Site). The areas of study (or cultural sites) are listed and explained below. The left-hand margins have links to separate pages for each of these sites.
• Ideology
• Power
• Mode of Address
• Discourse
• Identity
• Narrative
• Technology
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Sites or Areas of Study
• Spaces and Places
• Fictions
• Objects of Desire
You will focus on a detailed study of one of the following Cultural Sites in order to explore and apply theoretical approaches and key concepts. Your teacher will probably have chosen a site for your centre and will have collected resources to help you with it.
You will need to engage with the site using relevant key concepts and by taking a comparative approach to the use and application of theoretical approaches. A close study of only one of these Cultural Sites is required, but some consideration of the chosen site in relation to the other two is needed in order to explore their inter-connectedness. See the suggestions below.
The Cultural Sites in Unit 3 are distinct from but complementary to the sites in Unit 4 (The Person and Cultural Practices).
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Spaces and Places
This topic is concerned with 'the constructed environment', i.e. any environment whose meanings have been constructed in a cultural context, for example buildings, parks, town squares, alley ways in fact any space or building which has a cultural meaning and is used by different groups of people, in different ways, for different reasons. For example, a town square may be used by young people for skate-boarding, by old people for reading the paper and meeting friends, by couples for romantic assignations etc.
Fictions
This site focuses on the communication and transmission of culture through stories. In addition to traditional formulations such as fairy tales, novels, plays and films, candidates may investigate interactive narratives which invite us to participate actively in a narrative, e.g. video games.
Objects of Desire
This site refers to cultural products; items that are invested with meaning in a cultural context. More specifically, these are the goods of consumer society, the items that we are encouraged to covet, to buy, to own and to cherish.
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Intersections between the Cultural Sites in Unit 3
Spaces and Places/Objects of Desire
The property market. The association of desirable ‘lifestyles’ with particular buildings or places. The use of objects of desire to ‘accessorise’ places.
Fictions/Objects of Desire
The association of desirable identities with objects in advertising and promotion. Product placement. ‘Spin-offs’ and merchandising based on fictional texts. The packaging of fictional texts (e.g. books, DVDs) as objects of desire in their own right.
Fictions/Spaces and Places
Cyberspaces and imaginary worlds.
Multiplayer on-line fantasy role playing games.
Fictionalisations of place in exhibitions and displays, e.g. ‘The Story of London’. BACK TO THE TOP |
