Theorizing International Communication

Communication is defined as the exchanging of information or news. Communication is the medium and “mass media” of how the information gets from one to the next. The study of mass media includes, theories, structures and organizations, content, audiences and effect. The theories concept in the study of mass media states that they are the nets that we cast on the world around us to explain, understand and master it. There is a certain motivation behind mastering it. The structures and organization is the idea that structure is examined through freedoms of expression. Content asks how do they cover the issues and what information do they cover. The audience aspect asks why do the audience have access to one over another. The effects aspect is the opposite of audience studies in that it examines how content changes behavior. It is the attitudes and opinions part of the study. The systems Theory Approach looks at society as an organism it asks what the role of media is and it uses Emerson’s system of rights, principles, practices and institutions. Other ideas used in theorizing international communications are public opinion asking was is the opinion thinking at broad, which can be influenced by propaganda. There is also dependency, which the media helps set an agenda for. And then there is cultural hegemony which according to the slides says that “a given class maintains hegemony over society both in direction and domination, persuasion and force” (Gramsci, 1971). And of course agenda-setting which will be explained further in another post.   

Critical Concepts that Focus on Language

There are five components of communication that shape it’s meaning: language, structure, reasoning, character and emotion. Language includes verbal forms of speech and writing. These components have meanings to them including colors, film-frames, images, gesture, expressions, sounds and textures. Three frameworks to study language are style, semiotics and metaphor. Style is the “verbal clothing of ideas” (Cohen, 1998). In fiction writing, the style is the language that is used to construct the story line and primes. They use diction, character and dialogue to construct the language. A good speaker is able to use words appropriately in their right context while providing clarity and speak vividly.  Semiotics is the science of signs. It takes the meaning in the stem and allows us to see it used elsewhere. It invites the critic to ignore the boundaries of intentional, symbolic-verbal communication and study all the meanings in the word. The third idea is metaphor. A metaphor is a process of moving from one idea to another. It is how a person understands the discussion in the style of the phrase. And example would be a rollercoaster of emotions. A rollercoaster doesn’t have emotions, but you are able to see that the emotions went up and down, side-to-side based on how it was worded.

The Four main Premises of the Structure of the System of Freedom of Expression

  The four main premises of the structure of the system of Freedom of expression are listed below. The first is that the system of freedom of expression is an essential part as a means for assuring individual self-fulfillment. An individiaul must have freedom of expression to be able to express themselves fully and to have self-fulfillment in all that they do. The second is that freedom of expression is an essential process for advancing knowledge and discovering truth. An individual must have the freedom of expression to be able to discover new things, evaluate and search for truth. It is essential. The thirds is that it is essential to provide for participation in decision making by all member of society. An individual must have this freedom to discover new ideas and be able to give their input on subject matters. It is also necessary as a method of achieving a more adaptable and hence a more stable community of maintaining the precarious balance between healthy cleavage and necessary consensus.

Commercial Films Content

Commercial films’ content is typically categorized by high melodrama meaning that the story line is way over dramatized to actually portray real life. There is a weak theme, the primary goal of the film is to entertain audiences, not to educate them or tell a story but more just for entertainment purposes. They also have a spectacular song and dance musical sequence. This is portrayed by the main actors breaking out into song and dance in the movie. Most often the actors are not the actual singers. There is a high organic unity where the whole is better than the sum of its parts. There is high balance where the film is equally balanced from the beginning to end. There is high drama, things that happen in movies would not be as dramatized as they would in real life. There is a weak narrative, like mentioned before it is mostly for entertainment purposes. There is aspectacular dresses. Most of the women in these commercial films wear elaborate dresses with designs and rich colors. There is strong editing. Because the actors are not the singers, there must be editing. And there are weak depictions.

Shah Rukh Khan

 Shah Rukh Khan is a popular Hindi “hero” in the indian film industry. He is often referred to as the “Badashah of Bolly Wood”, “King Khan” and the “King of Bollywood.” He is one of the most well known Bollywood film stars. He has acted in over seventy Hindi films and works in genres anywhere from romance to action. He has won countless awards for his acting debuts. Not only is he an actor, but he is also the Co-fouder of “Dreamz United” a production company. He has endorsed moer than 25 brands on every interest level and is knowsn as the “pan-indian male…because he is everywhere and for everyone…” (Julien, 2008).  Shah Rukh Khan did not start out wanting to act but instead got his degree in communications from a University in New Dehli. He is a threat in all categrories including the marketing and advertising world and it helps him when he chooses his films to be a part of.

Works Cited:

Julien Cayla. "Following the Endorser's Shadow: Shah Rukh Khan and the Creation of the Cosmopolitan Indian Male." Advertising & Society Review 9.2 (2008). Project MUSE. Web. 5 May. 2013. <http://muse.jhu.edu/>.