Post-Structuralism & Semiotics   -  02/ 21/06

I. Functions of Cultural Mythology	
	A. Myth is not:
		1. Fake
		2. False
		3. Fable
		4. Ancient/'Primitive'
	B. Historical and Culturally Constructed 
		1. Process of Naturalization
		2. Package cultural concepts 
	C. Ideologically
		1. Hegemony of Cultural Myths and Symbols can 
			a. Stagnate Social Change
			b. The notion of resistance is eliminated from the language  
	D. Coded Language/Images	
	E. Myth as Depoliticized Speech 	
		1. Naturalizing social structures
			a. Example:
				i. Fairy Tales
					. Monarchy
	F. Contingency (the result of a specific action) Appears Eternal 
		1. Democracy/Voting Process and Electoral College 
	G. Modern Example
		1. Basic Structure: Binary Opposition
			a. essentially linked
			b. Good/Bad 
			c. Code the world using this structure
		2. Freedom Fighters / Freedom Haters
			a. Mobilizes the term Freedom (culturally sorts out entire world)
			b. Freedom Fighters: 
				i. nationalism 
				ii.  Positively valued (cannot be undermined)
					.how can you be against freedom?

II. Semiotics - formal study of sign systems in language
	A. Signifier & Signified are arbitrary
	B. Culturally constructed concepts create mental imprints on symbols and objects
		1. Things that are arbitrary are highly resistant to change
	C. Language is arbitrary
	D. Second Order Semi-logical System
		1. Sign
			a. Signifier/Signified
				i. Arbitrary
				ii. Random
				iii. Not Essential 
	E. How does meaning unfold historically?
		1. Medieval: Meaning is guaranteed theologically 	
		2. Ancient Greek: Meaning is defined by form but still relies on theology to guarantee it		3. 20th Century: Words no longer have an inherent meaning
			a. Meaning is defined by what things are not as opposed to what they are
			b. Meaning is defined by signs placed against other signs