Blog Critical Reflection #1

Part I: Find at least 5 images from your everyday surroundings (see pg. 151 in Practices of Looking for examples of what kinds of images these might be). For each one, discuss how they function as representations (see pp. 12-16), focusing on their truth value (pp. 16-21). How do they purport to tell the truth, and what truth is it?

Select 2 of these images and, following the discussion on pp. 25-31, with diagram p. 29, carry out a semiotic analysis of the images in order to discern what ideology they could be promoting.

Find 2 more images, one of which should fall into the category of "high" art, using a work of art on campus (outdoor sculpture, museum, the library, offices, etc.), and the other "low" art. Discuss how they can be classified as "high" or "low" (see pp. 31-35).

Part II: In response to Chapt. 5, on mass media, discuss whether you think mass media has a democratic or an oppressive function in our society. Use examples of any kind of mass media to make your points, but be specific.