L.O: To understand the key features of Marxism. To use this knowledge to analyse hegemony in films we have studied.

Marxism
The Marxist approach to culture insists that cultural texts and practices must be analysed in relation to their historical conditions of production (Storey 1993)

For Marx the historical conditions are always defined in terms of the mode of production that society has.

We currently live in a CAPITALIST society.

Capitalism

What does it mean? How did the starter demonstrate the distribution of wealth and power in a capitalist society?

In Marxist theory a Capitalist society consists of two groups of people.

The ruling class

The ruling class are known as the Bourgeois The working class are the Proletariat

Your class position is dependent upon your relationship to the mode of production. The proletariat make up the base and the Bourgeois make up the superstructure.

Base and Superstructure

The superstructure cannot exist without the base. The superstructure is made up of the political, legal, educational and cultural powers. But they must keep the base happy in order to stay in power and continue making money.

Control of production...

In groups write a paragraph describing how you carried out the task in the starter. Only the B's are allowed to write. The P's can offer their opinions.

Media: who rules?

For Marxists The ideas of the ruling class are in every epoch the ruling ideas (Marx and Engels) Popular culture (such as the media) is one of the ideological forms of the superstructure and so designed to maintain the status quo. They do not ignore the existence of the base but may represent things in a certain way to control or appease them.

Hegemony
Term devised by Gramsci. States that powerful groups are able to maintain their position through cultural means (particularly entertainment media)

Ideology
A set of ideas, values and beliefs belonging to a particular group.

Sometimes used to protect the power and position of that group.

Types of ideologies include: Class. Gender. And race.

The Frankfurt School

These Marxists claim that mainstream media is inherently ideologically conservative. Audiences are 'cultural dopes' made passive by the media.

Now to consider Hegemony and Ideology in films we have studied

In pairs complete the worksheet.

Consider who is being represented and how.