Cultural Studies

Cultural studies occasionally effects the way I watch, listen, and interact with media. Most of the time when I submerge myself into media like movies, podcasts, music, or television shows I get completely entranced into whatever is happening on the screen or in my ears. If I’m watching a movie that I think is really good I most likely won’t even consider cultural studies; in contrast, if I’m watching a movie that just isn’t as thrilling for me, I’ll likely be more aware of what I’m seeing and recognize certain ideologies. At this day and age I think we’re really lucky to be witnessing so many ideologies being challenged and it’s because of this recognition in media that I am more socially aware of what I’m seeing and experiencing. 

An example of something I’ve continuously noticed in media is the new order of recognition and respect for both women and people of color. I remember watching a Clint Eastwood movie and recognizing so many racial stereotypes and disturbing abusive moments for women that I couldn’t help but talk about it with someone. It was a disgusting form of entertainment and through the film I could pick out the myths that were being put into place like women having no strength and being swept up by a “heroic” white man that constantly oppressed those around him. It has been films like these and the doxa of society that kept these ideologies alive. With media that I watch/listen to today I pick out residual ideologies that still paint women as weak, and people of color as enemies. It’s something that I’ve recently become aware of and I’m happy about it. Recognizing these constraints are important because it’s like being freed from Plato’s cave and seeing the truth for the first time. 

The Beginning

When looking at the Vice Production’s track record, you can see the amazingly progressive nature that they take on. From issues revolving around trans people, drugs, foreign affairs, and in our case, religion, Vice consistently discusses the taboo and forces us as a society, to learn about the things we would not have heard about otherwise. The video I chose is, A Day in the Life of a Modern American Exorcist which I found very intriguing, as most religious principles are. 

A few of the theories that I think would be interesting to apply to this video start with Rhetorical analysis. The text says that Rhetorical theory is taking a look at the structure of certain media and how it plays an influence on it’s audience. Religion has and will probably always be an influential and emotional thing for people. Religion utilizes Ethos, Pathos, and Logos and in this video, we can see what “happens” when people stray from God’s light. Another theory we could apply is Psychoanalytic because in this video we hear about people who are possessed by demons and have incredible melt-downs. Is this the work of the Devil? Or is it just a case of mental health? Sociology as a theory would also be interesting to use when watching this video. When someone watches a video like this it can influence them to find religion, go to church, or just immediately start praying. It’s interesting to think about the effects this video might have on religious people, or what they take from it. Finally, we can use an Ecological lens to view this short video and wonder if whether or not instances like these, (demon possessions) have any influence over the growth of Christianity in society, or even if that’s the intention.