communications
This short-answer/essay exam asks you to consider a variety of topics and concepts from this past semester. I expect your answers to have narrative coherence and direction and to illustrate your growth over the semester. In addition to addressing theoretical material, be sure to use specific examples to support your answers. Below are four mandatory questions; three from Unit 4 and one cumulative covering the entire semester. You must answer all of them. In addition, there are four remaining questions of which you must answer two. When submitting your exam, you should have a total of six well-developed answers.
You must answer all of the following questions:
1. What does Fry mean by “play frames” and what role do they have in humor? Can you see a connection between Fry’s frames and Labov’s narrative structure?
2. Explain the four functions of art according to Gowans. In addition, also compare and contrast these functions with Aristotle’s theories of art.
3. Analyze the comedic performance of Eddie Izzard: Dress to Kill (Izzard can be found on youtube or Netflix or you can use another comedian of your choice) from the perspective of this last unit. What theories seem completely on point? How can these theories further illuminate such a performance?
4. Much has been made of the concept of difference or opposition in regard to language, myth, dreams and the unconscious. What did each of the following theorists have to say about the significance of difference: Saussure, Freud, Bakhtin and Douglas? What did Hall have to say about these theorists? Why are these various theories important to the field of Communication?
Of the remaining questions, you must choose two:
5. Compare and contrast your favorite and least favorite theorists from the past semester. What draws you to your favorite? What bothers you regarding your least?
6. How does Saussure define a sign? What is the relationship between a signifier and a signified? What is Debord referring to when suggesting that in our contemporary culture the signifier has eclipsed the signified in regard to importance?
7. Define and explain three concepts from the past semester that have illuminated your understanding of Communication as an academic discipline.
8. Define and explain intertextuality and dialogism. What theorist advanced these ideas and why are they important to the study of communication?
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