|
Due 4/8/2008 Decoding
Political Videos: English 1302: Essay #3 The Premise Behind Our Analysis—the reality and
importance of conceptual metaphors "Because so much of our social and political reasoning
makes use of this system of metaphorical concepts, any adequate appreciation
of even the most mundane social and political thought requires understanding
of this system. …The metaphors I have discussed… are used largely without
being noticed, …they have enormous social
consequences, and … they shape our very understanding of the everyday
world." George Lakoff, "Metaphor, Morality, and Politics" (1, 21). The Learning Goal for this Project—learning to use
language as your own "...language, for the individual consciousness, lies on
the borderline between oneself and the other. The word in language is half
someone else's. It becomes 'one's own' only when the speaker populates it
with his own intention, his own accent, when he appropriates the word,
adapting it to his own semantic and expressive intention. Prior to this
moment of appropriation, the word does not exist in a neutral and impersonal
language (it is not, after all, out of a dictionary that the speaker gets his
words!), but rather it exists in other people's mouths, serving other people's
intentions: it is from there that one must take the word, and make it one's
own. " General Description of the Assignment: Rhetorical Situation: Essay Question(s): Essay Requirements:
Structuring Your Essay I recommend that you look at
this project as a form of "Coming To Terms" with the political
video you have chosen (a la our Rewriting
book). Following Harris'
structure, then, your essay would have three main sections: Defining the Project of the Video (Video Producer, or Candidate) Noting Key Words and Passages --ground
how you define the project by citing key passages in the video, in Lakoff's work, and in the other research you have done --you
may discuss how key words or passages "forward" or
"counter" ideas from Lakoff or your
research Assessing Uses and Limits --to
indicate what the writer/video does well but also to suggest what he/she/it
has left undone Resources: "Metaphor, Morality, and Politics" by George Lakoff Since this project depends upon your learning to apply Lakoff's ideas to a political video, I recommend that you
read and reread, study and outline this text. "Simple Framing: An Introduction to Framing and its Uses
in Politics" by George Lakoff Publication Archive of the Rockridge
Institute: http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/research Find videos from http://www.youtube.com or from candidate
websites Searching current periodicals and blogs Blog searching: Technorati: http://technorati.com/ Approaches to Visual Rhetoric from viz. Rhetoric- Visual Culture – Pedagogy: http://viz.cwrl.utexas.edu/?q=node/69 Decision2008@SAC: http://2008sac.ning.com/ Proviso: We are using
George Lakoff's theories about conceptual metaphors
as our main basis for analysis. We should recognize that Lakoff
is not politically neutral. However, Lakoff as an
excellent scholar does "come to terms" in a fair way with both
conservative and liberal views, and we can learn a lot about from his
presentation and theories of conceptual metaphors in politics. By using his theories, this assignment in
no way is seeking to influence your political view point. |
