Term
| Define Myth. Does it matter if it is true or not? |
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Definition
| Myth: An idealized narrative master story of American Culture, the ones that we all know but don’t often think of what the narrative is. Upholds cultural values, defines acceptable morals, and validates certain beliefs, expectations and behaviors of a culture. The actual validity of the myth is unimportant, they hold power. What is important is if the ideas within the myth are accepted as true...myths are a way to teach narrative. Narrative is within the myth. |
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Term
| Three Primary Ways myths function in culture: |
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Definition
-To confirm, intensify, and reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values
-A way to escape reality myths talk about idealized settings, which makes us think beyond our everyday reality emphasizes certain aspects of life by ignoring others
-Meant to unify a diverse audience they can do this because they convey universal values. i.e. American myth liberty, freedom, patriotism and become teaching tools |
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Term
| Why are myths so powerful? |
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Definition
The power of myth lies in the fact that no one has to explain myth, we just know it.
Powerful because they tap into our emotions and do not need an explanation. |
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Term
| Why is it important to study myths in a class on popular culture? |
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Definition
Because if the power of myths is that you don't have to explain them, then our job as critics is to explain them.
-they are also a tool for living- tell morality tales, lessons, and convey universal values. |
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Term
| What are the five questions we asked in class that help us analyze myths? |
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Definition
Who are the main characters of the myth?
What are the major and minor events in the myth?
What is the moral of the myth?
What are the major themes of the myth?
What are the cause and effect relationships established in the myth? |
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Term
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Definition
- Narrative
- begins with birth of America - this nation was born out of Revolution; first new nation; new nation developed uniquely American ideology: liberty, egalitarianism, and individualism
- the U.S. is qualitatively different and exceptionally the best
- American founded on republican ideals
- Lesson Learned- we can accomplish anything- born out of a revolution- we are unique (superior), duty to lead the world, make the world safe for democracy (WW1 and WW2)
- Repercussions
- individualism, repercussions of the beliefs of individualism - given rise to “situational ethics” (it’s not wrong until we get caught)
- we get stretched too thin
- Critiques
- republicans - greedy, believe we are “God’s chosen people”
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Term
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Definition
- American Dream
- Narrative
- freedom includes the promise of prosperity and success - if we all work hard, we can all work hard, we can all live the American dream (e.g. nice car, nice home, good job, good family)
- Declaration of Independence: we all have these rights and we have the right to make these happen
- this is why America is sometimes called the land of opportunity
- Lesson Learned- you can do anything you want to if you try hard enough- we live in a society where anything is possible- rags to riches story- willing to work hard to make it possible
- Sports American Dream- work hard in a particular area- innate quality that you have to make you successful- we dont get the American Dream with the concept of exceptionalism
- Repercussions- when you don’t succeed we often judge people- arguments against welfare arguments for the American Dreams- if you’re not doing it, it is your responsibility
- Critques- small wealthy class holds most of the money and no matter what we do we will never get to it-
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Term
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Definition
- Narrative
- Constant challenge of an unknown and limitless frontier turns some individuals into heroes and because of these epic struggles those heroes symbolize American values (i.e. progress, prosperity)
- Lesson Learned- duty to explore the unknown- space is the last frontier. It is a morality tail of good vs. evil- we learn who are heroes are and who they are not. (how we are supposed to behave). We also face adversity and it is not really an easy place to live- creates a person that can do whatever they want.
- Indian is a nobel savage or savage- if noble has some western conept about him- Pocahantas- perfect example.
- Repercussions
- the gender dynamic - men are defined by their rugged self containedness, the women are homemakers and tied to the land (not really reflective of what women did)
- historically, women served in office more and owned land more, so women were actually given more rights than those lived in urban areas
- Critques
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Term
How does the representation of different social groups in the media effect audience recall? Why does this matter? |
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Definition
Social groups that are recalled more often enjoy more status and power in daily life. The social groups that are more prevalent are recalled while the ones who are not represented are recalled less often. |
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Term
What is social identity theory? How does it help us understand the impact of videogame characters on audiences? Specifically, how does it explain the representation of Latinos in videogames and the impact of those representations on Latino children? |
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Definition
Social Identity Theory: We look for representations of ourselves in media and then compare those representations with those of other groups.
-Lack of representation = invisibility and less importance
-Makes Latinos feel unimportant and powerless because they don’t see their own group when they play |
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