Hermeneutics is in simple words is the study of how we as individuals interpret our world around us. This can work closely with semiotics which is the study of signs. How this works closely is very simply the interpretation of the signs in our world. There of five parts of Hermeneutics that my Comm 403 Media Theory class covered, those five are; natural, normative, scientific, philosophical and depth.
Natural Hermeneutics is the everyday interpretation that we do. We will rarely not reflect on how we interpreted and brake down the central understanding to what we experienced in our multimedia lives. A clear example to look into is the Nixon/Kennedy debate Text as an art becomes a part of Hermeneutics as Normative Hermeneutics. In the Normative section we looked at "castes" of individuals in our society that are specialists in the interpretation of text. Some examples given were; priests, lawyers and judges. Running with one of the examples a lawyer, their specific job is to interpret laws which are in written text and use the knowledge at a greater understanding to win cases. A article of work I found which surprisingly had no author attached to the document has a statement that helps understand the importance of Normative Hermeneutics. "The inevitable result is some degree of alienation, as texts speak to a situation and an audience that no longer exists." (Unknown, 1).
Moving forward is scientific Hermeneutics which is the foundation of human or historical sciences. The goal of most science experiments can't be realized until you interpret results and findings which is one of the key steps in the scientific process. We take our data and are able to better interpret findings that are recorded to create a much more in depth understanding. Depth Hermeneutics is the "Hermeneutics of suspicion." It's basically interpreting text as something beyond its face value. A good blog post to look at is one about that gives an example with Obama and Depth Hermeneutics.
Finally we come to Philosophical Hermeneutics which basically states interpreting is not what we do but in fact we are the interpreters. Philosopher Wilhelm Dilthey expanded on hermeneutics saying that we will make unique interpretations for ourselves.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Intro to Understanding
A fresh semester is underway and the start of media studies has begun. Starting off this course I took a look at the syllabus and carefully read and dissect it. The syllabus doesn't give the quick overview that other do and definitely doesn't leave any grey areas in the course. The document is broken down into five chapters with each outlining what's expected, why it's expected, and how to start your journey to accomplish the goals of the course.
In the first chapter I liked how the course is broken down into nine objectives. Out of these nine two of them really stood out to me, semiotics or the study or signs, and hermeneutics or the study of interpretation. The second chapter not only does it do a good job of establishing good tactics for successful blogs but it also touched on podcasts which I believe are great tools like blogs. Up to this point the syllabus presented the objectives and a deeper understanding of a great tool to use to create written content to use later in life. The third chapter focuses on critical thinking and new technology which I found to be a breath of fresh air with how thorough the document was in what the departments expectations are for the use of technology and creating a skill set that can be used to solve problems through analytical skills etc. In the second to last chapter the visions and values of the course are examined which helps understand how the department is going to help myself and other students get ready for the job market and succeed after life. In the final chapter "LEAP" is discussed which is shepherds version of the "no child left behind act." Reading about "LEAP" was interesting seeing the various goals ranging from quantitative literacy to collaboration/teamwork.
This syllabus was awesome, it was very well though out and thorough. It not just raised what was expected of but what skills will be worked on to help one accomplish these things.
The syllabus can be found at profkevingwilliams.com in his Comm 403 syllabus tab.
In the first chapter I liked how the course is broken down into nine objectives. Out of these nine two of them really stood out to me, semiotics or the study or signs, and hermeneutics or the study of interpretation. The second chapter not only does it do a good job of establishing good tactics for successful blogs but it also touched on podcasts which I believe are great tools like blogs. Up to this point the syllabus presented the objectives and a deeper understanding of a great tool to use to create written content to use later in life. The third chapter focuses on critical thinking and new technology which I found to be a breath of fresh air with how thorough the document was in what the departments expectations are for the use of technology and creating a skill set that can be used to solve problems through analytical skills etc. In the second to last chapter the visions and values of the course are examined which helps understand how the department is going to help myself and other students get ready for the job market and succeed after life. In the final chapter "LEAP" is discussed which is shepherds version of the "no child left behind act." Reading about "LEAP" was interesting seeing the various goals ranging from quantitative literacy to collaboration/teamwork.
This syllabus was awesome, it was very well though out and thorough. It not just raised what was expected of but what skills will be worked on to help one accomplish these things.
The syllabus can be found at profkevingwilliams.com in his Comm 403 syllabus tab.
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