This subfield examines how media representations of races and ethnicities shape public perception and reinforce stereotypes.
Representation: This topic involves examining how different groups or individuals are represented in media and cultural discourse. It involves critically analyzing the ways in which these representations both shape and reflect social attitudes and beliefs.
Critical race theory: A theoretical framework that examines the ways in which race intersects with social and political power structures. It seeks to highlight the ways in which race and racism are embedded in social institutions and everyday life.
Media studies: An interdisciplinary field that studies the production, distribution, and reception of media content. It examines the ways in which media shapes our cultural and social attitudes and beliefs.
Stereotyping: The process of generalizing about a particular group of people based on perceived characteristics or behaviors. It often involves oversimplifying complex identities and can lead to prejudice and discrimination.
Intersectionality: This concept involves understanding identity as the intersection of various categories, such as race, gender, sexuality, and class. It stresses the importance of understanding how these categories intersect and interact with one another.
Hegemony: The process by which dominant groups maintain their power through social and cultural means. It involves shaping the beliefs and values of subordinate groups to align with those of the dominant group.
Othering: The process of defining oneself in opposition to a perceived "other." It often involves emphasizing differences between groups and can lead to the demonization of those outside of one's own group.
Power relations: The ways in which power is distributed and exerted within social and political structures. It involves examining who has power and influence, and how this power is maintained and challenged.
Stereotype threat: The anxiety and self-doubt experienced by individuals who are exposed to negative stereotypes about their identity. It can lead to underperformance in academic and professional settings.
Cultural imperialism: The spread of dominant cultural values and practices to other cultures, often through the media. It involves the spread of cultural hegemony across national and international borders.
Descriptive Representation: The idea that those in elected positions should reflect the diversity of the population they represent.
Symbolic Representation: The use of symbols or images to represent a particular group or idea.
Substantive Representation: The actual work or policies enacted by those in elected positions on behalf of a particular group.
Intersectional Representation: The consideration of how multiple identities (such as race, gender, and class) intersect in the representation of individuals or groups.
Counter-Representation: The creation of representations that challenge or subvert dominant narratives or stereotypes.
Discursive Representation: The use of language and discourse to frame or represent a particular group or issue.
Visual Representation: The use of images and visuals in media to represent people or ideas.
Narrative Representation: The use of storytelling techniques in media to represent people or ideas.
Stereotypical Representation: The representation of people or ideas in media through oversimplified and often inaccurate stereotypes.
Gendered Representation: The representation of gender in media, including the portrayal of women and men in stereotypical ways.
Racial Representation: The representation of race in media, including the portrayal of people of color in stereotypical ways.
LGBTQ+ Representation: The representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in media, including the portrayal of stereotypes or tokenization.
Disability Representation: The representation of people with disabilities in media, including the portrayal of stereotypes or lack of representation.