Cultural Studies - Assignment Example

Cultural Studies Q1 Discuss the meaning of the term ‘Culture’ in the context of cultural studies. (Cultural studies being an inter-disciplinary practice that is theoretically and methodologically indeterminate). Culture is defined distinctly as one moves across the varied cultural tangents and studies. This is because it is described in a whole lot ways in the present time and age than this used to be the case in the yesteryears. Cultural differences, in essence mark the distinction between the starting of a culture as well as its total culmination. Then there are the aspects related with their mixed contents which are found in different cultures every now and so often. Within the cultural studies domain, it becomes an even more interesting subject to highlight nonetheless. The basic understanding has been brought forward by the rationale as provided by Geert Hofstede as well as a number of other thinkers, researchers of current times as well as of the past. The fact that cultural studies and its attainment is significant lies in the rationale that comes from the discussion of value, authority, power and its linked associations. This is because cultural studies are inter-twined with such elements which require understanding of pertinent issues within the related domains of culture and not only that but also the whole paradigm under which a society operates in entirety. Issues of structuralism, where an attempt at studying the human sciences is of utmost significance, are raised ever more so often. What this does is to establish a need for connecting the very basis of mythological and other fields with the complex systems comprised within the inter-related parts of the structural domains. (Hawkes, 2003) The inter-disciplinary tangents within the cultural studies make it all the more interesting, more so due to the fact that there is a cultural harmony amongst the different regimes which bring about the association of the varied disciplines in the first place. The inter-disciplinary issues could focus a little towards the anthropological, literary theory and/or psychoanalysis aspects so that the relation within the cultural studies is one of a significant one all this while. Similarly, post-structuralism is also an important ingredient of this debate as it brings to light the quintessential domains of intellectual developments related with different philosophers and critical theorists who have written meticulous tendencies with respect to different eras. Cultural understandings become even more essential when one comprehends the fact that the same phenomenon is in close alliance with postmodernism and its sub-forms. (Waterbury, 1993) Thus theory and practice play alongside each other towards the betterment of the cultural studies and in the end a wholesome basis with regards to power, authority and inter-disciplinary understanding is attained. Q2 Examine the relationship between identity, discourse and power using the example of listening to music Music has its different shades when it comes to an expression through the people’s angle. It could be their sole identity, their verbal expression (discourse) or the power that they exert on another society or certain sets of people whilst employing the affects of the specified musical contexts. Listening to music has remained one of the significant notions behind building related art beliefs and customs, more so when one discusses a particular societal undertakings, practices and rituals. (Gibson, 2002) Listening to music has a definitive agenda whereby identity, discourse and power could be influenced upon the very same while at the same time; the three basic elements have a relationship amongst them as well. Culturally speaking, music has a strong affect and influence on the way its followers have been attaching themselves to the music tangents. This is because they feel that it is a part of their own selves – the identity basis. They have strong feelings for the music that they listen to and thus attach a great deal of significance with the singers, musicians and composers. They attach their significant moments with the pleasure of listening to music, let alone good or bad which is entirely their choice at the end of the day. There is the element of their attaching significance with the way music becomes a part of their writings, paintings and any form of art that they carry out within the domains of a pertinent society. They portray their likes and dislikes through the notions of creativity, exclusivity and uniqueness – all in line with their musical inspirations, feelings and emotions. The facet of power comes within the equation when the music listeners exert their power and influence over people who have different musical tastes, choices and emotions. They make their point clear by expressing their love and attachment with their chosen musical representations. There is a great deal of competitions amongst different sets of people when the talk goes out loud regarding the power domains. Identity, discourse and power would be equally true if applied to any other form of art like painting, writing, etc. (Hubbs, 2006) This is because art in its different forms has the unique capacity to come out in varied ways time and time again. The relationship between identity, discourse and power is thus imminent sooner rather than later because it has the power to merge all three whilst delivering the message concerned with music and its listening tangents. Q3 Using ideas from semiotics, discuss how the way we dress has meaning Semiotics discusses sign symbols and significance through communication patterns, either in an individual form or through a combination of sign systems in the form of groups. Different cultures in varied regions of the world have adapted to their own unique set of clothing for the common man and woman who exercises that very culture in his or her daily life. (Silverman, 1984) The clothes within the different cultures play a big enough role to tell one and all of their importance in their normal routines. One would hardly see a person within a culture who would not wear such traditional clothes. However when one asks for formality, then men like to put on three piece suits and ties which form a part of the West. But in no way it can be remarked as being a part of the Indian and the Pakistani cultures. Similarly, when the two nations want to go informal, they wear shorts, T shirts and pyjamas as well. (Pollock, 1995) Colors within these cultures have played a big role in the selection and eventual putting on of these clothes and more so by the women in the East. It is a case in point that a Muslim woman might be Western in her dressing and sexuality while turns into a completely religious being when she is with her family or offering her prayers. Thus the mixed point of views is seen by one and all within such understandings. Speaking from the angle and ideas presented by semiotics, dress has got an important role in the making up of any culture. On the aspect of dressing up for schools, one finds that a number of different researches and surveys that have been held as to find out whether these school uniforms are liked by the students or otherwise show that these students have a 33% likeliness ratio whereas the remaining 67% do not quite approve of the idea in its essence. They believe that the school dictated clothing is not an “in” thing and it does not mesh with their idea of wearing funky and colorful clothes, more so which portray the real selves of theirs. A number of these respondents raised the view that their sense of freedom seems to be lost when they wear the school uniforms and they are thus confined to the four walls of the school or alma mater for that matter. They just want to break free from the clutches of school and aspire to live in a world which is not dictated by the teachers, lecturers and headmasters. School going children want to have a free life which is not governed by anyone. Q4 What is gender identity and how do we acquire it The word gender explains the different categories which make use of the masculinity as well as the femininity segmentations. It also includes the social, cultural and environmental factors which come about as the significant reasons behind formation of gender differences. It is a fact that gender identity can be affected by a number of different social structures which could also include the persons ethnic group, employment status, family basis as well as religion. It is a known notion that women are weaker when they are compared to men and thus they are more emotional when it comes to performance of different tasks and activities. (Woodward, 2004) It is also a known reality that no matter how financially sound a nation is, women are never allowed to come shoulder to shoulder with the men of the land and there is always a differentiating basis present. Gender identity has brought to the fore a number of different issues within the modern times which were not present in the past. It goes to suggest that gender related issues have formed the backbone of a number of different movements that have involved a great deal on the racial subjects and other issues as well. A lot of emphasis has also been placed on the incorporation of the same within the different contexts as well as settings in the movements so as to bring about a drift in the rational thinking and logical beliefs of the people as and when times change. Thus there has been a controversy regarding the policies of the gender identity basis within the present day societies. In order to acquire gender identity, it must be understood that male dominance is indeed not a natural but a cultural phenomenon that is made courtesy the people all over the world. It is from the beginning of mankind that women have always had settled for lower positions than men but the level of this gap between the men and the women has seemed to diverge with respect to different cultures as well as the passing epochs. Women have fought for her right of resource availabilities as well as her autonomy and not to forget her class position and allocation of gender based roles and responsibilities. The subjects under focus must receive importance when concerted efforts are made in the proper direction with a clear cut thinking basis. No matter the progress around the world has been at a cut throat pace, there still are a number of avenues where the women are degraded in a society time and time again. (Perry, 2003) Gender identity could only be achieved when men and women both understand their due roles and award the pertinent rights to not only their own selves but also to the opposite genders. Bibliography GIBSON, Chris. (2002). Sound Tracks: Popular Music, Identity, and Place. Routledge HAWKES, Terence. (2003). Structuralism and Semiotics. Routledge HUBBS, Nadine. (2006). Queer Episodes in Music and Modern Identity. Women & Music, Vol. 10 PERRY, David G. (2003). Gender Identity and Adjustment in Middle Childhood. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, Vol. 49 POLLOCK, Donald. (1995). Masks and the Semiotics of Identity. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, Vol. 1 SILVERMAN, Kaja. (1984). The Subject of Semiotics. Oxford University Press WATERBURY, Ronald. (1993). Culture, Society, and the Interdisciplinary Teaching of World Studies: An Anthropological Perspective. Social Studies, Vol. 84 WOODWARD, Kath. (2004). Questioning Identity: Gender, Class, Ethnicity. Routledge Word Count: 1,798 Read More