Media, Information and Technoculture 2200F/G Study Guide - Final Guide: Classical Hollywood Cinema, Cultural Hegemony, Signify
10 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Structuralism: the method of interpretation and analysis of aspects of human cognition, behaviour, culture, and experience. Focuses on relationships of contrast between elements in a conceptual system that reflects patterns underlying a superficial diversity. The sign is a basic unit of language, includes a union of the signifier and the signified. Signifier: a form linked to an idea, this form could take many forms (physical aspect) Signified: an idea/concept linked to a signifier, exists in our head. A signifier can link to different signifieds (ex: bat = baseball or the creature) The meaning of the signifier derives from the fact that it is not any other signifier or sign in the language system (ex: we know a table is a table because it is not a chair) The sign is arbitrary (based on random choice or personal whim rather than reason)
