About the lecture

In this module, we look at the different theories of representation, focusing particularly on the theories of British sociologist Stuart Hall. In particular, we look at: (i) the definitions of representation that Stuart Hall gives; (ii) Stuart Hall’s three theories of representation, including the reflective view, the intentional view and the constructionist view; (iii) how Stuart Hall favours the constructionist view as most useful; (iv) how representation involves text, author's opinions, audience reactions and societal context; (v) how negotiated reading allows audiences to interpret and engage with media texts; (vi) how representation is an unfixed exchange, involving power dynamics; (vii) how texture analysis is used to uncover representational meanings.

About the lecturer

Dr Julia Havas is lecturer in Film and Television at the University of York. She specialises in the issues of representation on TV in relation to genre, narrational conventions, cultural value, and production contexts. With this in mind, she has published widely, including Woman Up: Invoking Feminism in Quality Television (Wayne State University Press, 2022).