Portfolio Task 7- Constructing the Other

Compile an annotated photo essay that analyses the visual and linguistic construction of a specific other within a magazine, journal, periodical or newspaper of your choice. You could focus on gender, race, class, sexuality, fashion, etc but make sure that you comment on how the construction of such an 'other' secures and stabilises the identity, and sense of self, of the publication's core audience.

Portfolio Task 6- Sustainability & Capitalism

Read the text- Balser, E (2008) 'Capital Accumulation, Sustainability & Hamilton Ontario'. We have copies in the CTS office, 115, and also in the Vis Comm studio.

Write a 500 word critical summary of the text which explicitly adresses the following questions

1. How is sustainability defined in the text?
2. What are the main characteristics or tendencies of Capitalism
3. Define a 'crisis of Capitalism'. Offer an example.
4. What solutions have been offered to the sustainability question? Are these successful or realistic? - If not why are they flawed?
5. Is the concept of sustainability compatible with Capitalism?

Portfolio Task 5- Lefebvre & Space

In 300-400 words, use Lefebvre's Spatial triad (see below) to conduct a critical reading of one Social Space in or around Leeds.

Merry Xmas & A Happy New Year!

Seminars resume on 14th January. Happy Holidays!
Richard

Portfolio Task 4- Essay Ideas

Propose a topic and working title for your Level 5 essays. Your proposal should include-

5 bullet points explaining the main thrust of your argument.
Your chosen methodological approach
At least 5 texts (referenced using Harvard) from the library that you think will be useful for this essay, with a comment next to each explaining why.
A .jpeg of a relevant image that you may discuss in the essay, again briefly explaining why.

Portfolio Task 3- Semiotic Analysis

Write a 300-400 word semiotic analysis of this Sun front cover. Make sure that your analysis highlights all of the key signifiers, and what they denote and connote. Also, try to highlight any examples of myth that you can see- what ideologies or cultural prejudices are naturalised by the text?. Also, pay attention to paradigmatic and syntagmatic structures and suggest how these shape our reading. Try to outline who the text is trying to communicate, and what cultural codes it relies on to do this. Pay attention to the interrelation of text and image. Pay close attention to the language used in both headline and text.

If you are struggling refer to the leading questions posed on this D.I.Y. semiotic analysis by Daniel Chandler-
http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/S4B/sem12.htmlhttp://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Document/S4B/sem12.html

N.B. this text refers to the sinking of the ARA General Belgrano by British Forces during the Falklands war, May 2, 1982. See wikipedia for background info.

Portfolio Task 2- On Popular Music

Quickly read Adorno's (1941) article 'On Popular Music' (links below). In no more than a few paragraphs, summarise his ideas on pop music, concentrating on highlighting key points such as 'standardisation' etc.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Post a link to a YouTube pop video that, in your opinion, epitomises adorno's sentiments. explain why, trying to emphasise the links to the wider 'culture industry' in general.

If you are struggling, here's an example I found to get you thinking...