Popular Media Analysis
Popular Media Analysis is one of the most engaging and dynamic parts of our society. The aim of this series is to explore how films, music, YouTube videos, memes, and other forms of digital media both reflect and shape the political culture around us. In today’s world, politics isn’t confined to parliamentary debates or policy papers, it’s embedded in the media we consume every day. Whether it’s a viral meme that subtly reinforces an ideology, a music video that speaks to class and cultural identity, or a film that challenges dominant narratives, media plays a central role in constructing and contesting political meaning.
Our sessions typically begin with the viewing or presentation of a piece of media this could be a short film, a song, a YouTube essay, or even a collection of memes circulating online. We then move into analysis and discussion, focusing on:
- Representation: Who is shown and how? What voices or perspectives are excluded?
- Ideology: What political or cultural messages are reinforced, intentionally or unintentionally?
- Power: How does the media reflect systems of class, race, gender, or nationhood?
- Zeitgeist: What does this piece of media tell us about the cultural moment we live in?
- Politics of entertainment: How do “fun” or “trivial” things like memes and trends carry political weight?
Sometimes the chosen media has explicit political messages; other times, it may appear purely entertaining on the surface. Our job is to peel back the layers and uncover the subtle ideological work being done beneath.
These events are not lectures but interactive discussions. Everyone brings their own perspective, challenges others, and makes connections to current affairs. The ultimate goal is to build critical media literacy, (something people really lack lately) learning to recognize politics in everyday culture and understanding how it shapes the world we live in.
