Thinking Activity: Cultural Studies

Welcome to my  Blog.This blog is written as a part of a thinking activity assigned by Dilip Barad sir. In this Blog , I would like to share my understanding about cultural studies and the idea of power and what is education.

What is Cultural Studies:-

Cultural Studies is about looking at the world with today's perspective instead of just focusing on the past. It combines lots of different academic areas like sociology, history, literature, and more to understand how society creates meaning. It looks at things like social class, ethnicity, gender, and other factors to see how they shape the way we understand things.

In the past, people thought things like movies made society worse. But through Cultural Studies, we've learned to question that belief. It also helps us see that culture isn't the same as civilization—everyone has a culture, but not everyone has the same kind of civilization.

And in Cultural Studies, it's not about just praising culture. It's more about asking tough questions and critiquing what we see in society and culture.

1) your understanding of Power in Cultural Studies

 

 Power, according to Michel Foucault, isn't just about having control because of a high position. It's everywhere in society. He believed it's not just about forcing people to do things but also about creating relationships where one person influences others.

For Foucault, power isn't just a negative thing. It's not just about physical force or control. It's also about how people interact and influence each other in different ways.

power means having the ability to make others do what you want. It's part of every relationship—even if you have to consider someone else's thoughts before speaking, that shows there's some power at play.

In society, power is always at play, shaping how we interact with each other. There's always someone in control, but this position isn't permanent—it changes hands over time. For those who aren't in power, it can sometimes feel oppressive and harsh.

There are various forces that hold power: 

1) Physical Force

2) Wealth

3) State Action

4) Social Norms

5)Ideas

6) Number

These forces—whether physical strength, money, government rules, societal expectations, impactful ideas, or sheer numbers—play a role in how power operates in our social world.

 Sure, in simpler terms:

1) Power is never static: It's always changing, shifting from one place or person to another. It's never stuck in one position for too long.

2) Power is like water: Just like water flows and moves, power behaves similarly. It can adapt and take different shapes depending on the situation.

3) Power compounds: This means that power grows or increases over time. It builds on itself, getting stronger as it goes.

Michel Foucault had a big impact on how we see power. He talked about ‘power/knowledge,’ showing that power is linked to what we accept as truth and knowledge. Foucault challenged the idea that power is all about people or groups dominating others. Instead, he saw power as something that's everywhere, not just in one place or in the hands of a few. It's not really an action or a fixed structure, but more like a force that's all around us, shaping things in society.

2) Why Media Studies is so important in our digital culture? 

 

In today's world, digital culture is a huge part of our lives. It gives us tons of information through technology and media. To understand how media convinces society, it's crucial to know about media studies and its history. Cultural Studies aims to show both the good and bad sides of things to society. Communication is vital because it helps us connect with others, and it's a rapidly growing field for jobs nowadays.

Media has its own language and meanings, so it's important for people to grasp it. Sometimes, in the name of progress and freedom, people do things without fully understanding. In the past, questioning the government was crucial, and advertisements are a good example of this change. They can be seen from many angles, and understanding their language and impact is essential.

   

The five filters proposed by Chomsky and Herman are: 

1. The size and ownership of mass media corporations

2. The economic model predicated on generating revenue via corporate advertising

3. The reliance on ‘trusted sources’ which frequently means using government or corporate spokespeople who spend vast sums on public relations and lobbying.

4. The ability of financially or politically privileged actors to provide flak, negative responses to critical media coverage

 5. An ideological filter described as anticommunism (due to Manufacturing Consent being published during the final years of the Cold war). 

"Manufacturing Consent," a book by Noam Chomsky and Edward S. Herman, looks at how the media shapes what people think. It argues that media often serve the interests of powerful groups, like governments or big companies. This can affect how people see the world and support certain policies.

In today's digital age, the media has a huge impact on what people think. Media Studies helps us understand how the news we see is shaped and who controls it. It also explains how social media can create groups where people only hear things they already believe, which can divide people.

The idea of "Manufacturing Consent" shows how powerful groups can influence what we hear or see in the media. For example, a big movie company might buy lots of theaters to make sure everyone sees their film.

As we use social media, it's important to understand what we see and read. Media Studies helps us learn to be smart about what we believe online, especially with messages that spread hate or target specific groups.

Media Studies also talks about how journalists should act ethically and how important it is to have true information for a healthy society.

In today's world, some politics don't focus on facts, which is where Media Studies comes in. It helps us understand when politicians or media aren't being truthful. It gives us tools to think critically about what we hear and see.

By learning about Media Studies, people can become smarter about the information they see online and take part in creating a better society.

3) Who can be considered as 'Truly Educated Person'?

Education isn't just about studying hard and getting good grades; it's about questioning authority and power. A truly educated person isn't just knowledgeable but also contributes positively to their community. Using knowledge for the betterment of society is what truly defines an educated individual. That's why education and the knowledge gained through it are crucial for a thriving society.

According to Noam Chomsky, it's not about what you cover in class, but what you discover on your own. Being truly educated means being able to explore and create based on what you've learned. It's about knowing where to seek information, asking important questions, challenging established ideas when necessary, and forging your own path. True education isn't just about what you memorize; it's about knowing how to search, question, and think independently while collaborating with others. This kind of education, from kindergarten to university, is what a good educational system should aim for and it produces individuals who, by these standards, are truly well educated. Noam Chomsky thinks a truly educated person can think independently, question things, and generate their own thoughts. They're good at learning from others and working together to solve problems.

He believes the usual education system doesn't encourage these qualities enough. It focuses too much on memorizing facts rather than teaching how to think for oneself.

Chomsky suggests that education should teach students how to think critically and learn independently. He also stresses the importance of creating a safe space in classrooms where students can freely ask questions and share their ideas without feeling judged.

For Chomsky, critical thinking and independent learning aren't just good for individuals; they're vital for democracy and tackling the complex challenges we face today.

     

Conclusion :

Cultural Studies looks at power, media, and education. It explores what power means, why studying media is crucial, and what being truly educated involves. It dives into understanding the dynamics of power, emphasizes the importance of analyzing media, and highlights the qualities of a genuinely educated person.

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