Print media: critical perspectivesLO: understand and apply Marxist perspectives on Print

Media

Starter: look at these terms. Discuss with your partner what they might mean/where you may have come across them before.

CULTURAL MATERIALISM COMMODIFICATIONMARXISM SOCIAL CLASS

CAPITALISM THE BOURGEOISIETHE PROLETARIAT

Karl Marx

• German Philosopher, 1818-1883• Interested in capitalism and what he saw as its

inherently destructive effect upon people• He believed that capitalism was unfair,

immoral and dehumanising• Inspired the ‘Marxist School’ of media theory.

Key perspectives of the Marxist School of media theory

“Cultural materialism”• The culture of a society will be a direct product of its

economic (‘material’) conditions• Culture will therefore mostly represent the values of

the most powerful group (or ‘class’) of people in society

• Marxist media theorists regard media products as a product of capitalism

• They are interested in using an understanding of capitalism to make sense of the media, and vice vera.

Key perspectives of the Marxist School of media theory

Commodification of ideas and people• Because capitalist societies are driven by

money, ideas and people are often treated as ‘commodities’ (object used to make money)

• This has a ‘dehumanising’ effect on people and their relationships on one another

Key perspectives of the Marxist School of media theory

Class struggle• Our society is structured by an on-going

conflict between the ruling class (the middle class, or ‘bourgeoisie’) and all other classes (most importantly the working class, or ‘proletariat’).

• This conflict affects everything.

How can we understand these magazines in terms of…1. Capitalism,2. “Cultural materialism”,3. Commodification of ideas and people,4. Class struggle?

Paired assignment

Look at the magazine cover you have been given. How can it be understood from a Marxist perspective?

• Capitalism• “Cultural materialism”• Commodification of ideas and people• Class struggle

Homework – Due Tue first week back

Analyse a magazine cover of your choice from a Marxist perspective. How can the magazine cover be understood in terms of:• Capitalism• Cultural materialism• Commodification of ideas and people• Class struggle

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=nuts+magazine&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=q628am9-iQPwuM&tbnid=rQ7y4d9V6fpoQM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://mfebookcollection.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/nuts-uk-13-april-2012-magzine-full-magazine-free-download-mediafire/&ei=5VxmUqO-Go6rhQepuYEQ&bvm=bv.55123115,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNH5igIp9tbBgp3TCfUGF0w23NDGWA&ust=1382526514356469

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=music%20magazine%20covers&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=ppcbOHNYY4-seM&tbnid=Qv1L4TGcLasUKM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://c07swyer.blogspot.com/&ei=Ml1mUqH9GOOO7Qb85IHgBQ&bvm=bv.55123115,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNFhG5HPM8-hpuyXuo06JNZwOi68bA&ust=1382526632824273

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=film%20magazine%20covers&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=oExKCua0TKJBUM&tbnid=CZsMnLGGiWI84M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://doubleyeproduction.blogspot.com/2012/02/research-of-different-film-magazine.html&ei=Ql5mUr_lIYaThQfzn4Fw&bvm=bv.55123115,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNF88WGiqtcKo3dfyHFnFNMGmFj9hA&ust=1382526725794616