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Tier 2 Words

These are high-frequency words used in a wide range of academic contexts but have more specific meanings within Media Studies:

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1. Representation

   • Refers to the way that different groups, ideas, or themes are portrayed or constructed in media texts.

2. Narrative

   • The structure and organization of a story or media text, and the way in which events are presented and understood by an audience.

3. Audience

   • Refers to the group of people who consume media products. Can also refer to the way media texts are targeted or how audiences are positioned by the media.

4. Genre

   • The category or type of media product, which is determined by shared conventions, themes, or forms (e.g., horror, drama, news).

5. Conventions

   • The expected features of a specific genre or media product, such as stylistic elements, structures, or themes.

6. Ideology

   • A system of ideas, values, and beliefs that underpin media texts and influence their creation and reception.

7. Narrative Structure

   • The organization of a story within a media text, typically including elements such as beginning, middle, and end, with focus on linear or non-linear storytelling.

8. Connotation

   • The associated or secondary meaning of a media symbol or text beyond its literal meaning.

9. Denotation

   • The literal, direct meaning of a media text or symbol.

10. Discourse

    • The language and communication used within a media text, often examining how ideas are constructed and communicated in media messages.

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Tier 3 Words

These are subject-specific terms that are unique to Media Studies and often relate to theoretical concepts or technical aspects of media production:

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1. Semiotics

   • The study of signs and symbols in media texts and how meaning is created through them (e.g., signifiers and signified).

2. Hegemony

   • A concept from Gramscian theory that refers to the dominance of certain ideologies in society, often reinforced through media representation.

3. Postmodernism

   • A theoretical approach that questions traditional narratives, authenticity, and representation, often emphasizing intertextuality and pastiche in media texts.

4. Intertextuality

   • The relationship between different media texts and how they reference or influence each other.

5. Feminist Media Theory

   • Analyzes how media texts reflect, reinforce, or challenge gender norms, often focusing on representation of women and gender inequality.

6. Cultural Imperialism

   • The imposition of a dominant culture's values and ideologies through media, often at the expense of local cultures.

7. Encoding/Decoding

   • A concept from Stuart Hall that examines how media messages are created (encoded) and interpreted (decoded) by audiences.

8. Media Literacy

   • The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms, recognizing the role of media in society.

9. Gatekeeping

   • The process through which certain media content is selected or filtered for public consumption, influencing the narratives that become dominant in society.

10. Technological Determinism

    • A theory that suggests that technological developments shape and determine societal changes, particularly in media.

11. Vernacular Media

    • Refers to media that are tailored to specific local or cultural contexts, often produced outside mainstream channels.

12. Hyperreality

    • A concept in postmodern theory where the line between reality and representation becomes blurred, especially in media portrayals.

13. Synergy

    • The interaction between different media platforms (e.g., film, TV, digital media) that enhances the reach and impact of a media product or franchise.

14. Spectacle

    • A concept from Guy Debord, referring to the commodification of culture, where social life is increasingly shaped by visual media and consumerism.

15. Globalization

    • The process through which media products, culture, and ideas spread globally, often leading to a hybridization of cultures or the dominance of Western media.

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