Procedures
True or False: Ideologies are present in virtually any artifact
True
True or False: In an ideological analysis, a critic looks beyond the surface structure of an artifact to discover the beliefs, values, and assumptions it suggests
True
True or False: There are 5 steps in analyzing an artifact using ideological criticism
False
What are the two elements you must discover when analyzing an artifact
Presented and Suggested Elements
True or False: Political texts are not commonly analyzed and produce less obvious results.
False: Political texts are commonly analyzed. Other types of artifacts can be used but produce less obvious but insightful results.
True or False: The last step of analyzing an artifact is to "Apply the ideology to other artifacts"
False
What type of artifacts provide a rich site for rhetorical packaging and selling of ideologies?
Artifacts of Popular culture
Define Ideology
A system of ideas or a pattern of beliefs that determines a group’s interpretation of some aspects of the world
Name a visual artifact and two observable aspects of the artifact that provide clues to its ideology
Answers may vary
Why is formulating a research question for ideological criticism unique? Give an example of a research question.
The question can be specifically about the artifact.
Possible Questions
What is the ideology manifest in this artifact?
Who are the groups or voices whose interests are represented, served, or favored in the ideology?
What are the implications of the ideology for the world in which it participates?”
What are the characteristics of Ideology? (3)
Composed of evaluative beliefs
Contains core set of topics that pertains to group
Control and coordinate the actions of those who adhere to it
What are the steps for analyzing an artifact for ideological criticism?
1. Identify the presented elements of the artifact
2. Identifying the suggested elements linked to the presented elements
3. Formulating an ideology
4. Identifying the functions served by the ideology
What are the steps of writing the critical essay? Hint: Five Steps
1. Introduction- research question, its contribution to rhetorical theory, and its significance
2. Description of artifact and its context
3. Description of your method of criticism—in this case, ideological criticism
4. Report of findings of the analysis, identify the ideology manifest in the artifact and the rhetorical strategies that promote it over other ideologies
5. Discussion of the contribution your analysis makes to rhetorical theory
What are the 6 intellectual systems that have provided the foundation for ideological criticism?
Structuralism - semiotics
Marxism
Deconstructionism
Postmodernism
Cultural Studies
Articulation as a theory and critical method
Name 5 observable aspects of an artifact (of any kind) that provides clues to its ideology
Possible answers: arguments, evidence, terms, metaphors, voice, argumentative claims, musical features, shapes, materials, objects, etc.