Class Time:
1. What is "Ideology,' and can you escape it? In a related sense, does ideology necessarily correspond to empirical reality. Is all ideology bad or socially destructive/oppressive per se? If it is not always destructive/oppressive, give an example of a relatively innocent ideological belief.
2. If ideology can be oppressive or destructive, offer an exemplary destructive ideological belief and briefly explain why it is oppressive or destructive.
3. What is "dominant ideology"? Give an example of it and briefly explain it.
4. How is dominant ideology produced and reproduced to maintain status quo power relations (i.e. heeping things the way they are)? Hint: "Hegemony,' "Interpellation" (noun) "Interpellate," and "Subjectivity' (i.e. how society interpellations [CREATES!] subjects. Give a single example and briefly explain it.
5.) Why can't hegemony ever have totalizing control over people's/subjects' beliefs/ideology? Put somewhat differently, why is there always an opening for liberation and socio-economic or other social change?
6. What is "Overdetermination" (noun) [4°verdetermine(d) (verb)]? How does it operate, and how does the concept/process avoid simpleminded vulgar Marxist economic determinism (i.e. the tendency to reduce anyn and all social-material issues to economic issues)? Give an example-it can come from your personal experience, frommead* music, or film, etc. Briefly explain how overdetermination operates within your example. media,
7. What possible use could Gilgamesh have to my life?
8. What is the purpose of this class?
9. Have you learned anything in this class [this can include changes in personal beliefs]? If so, what? If you haven't learned anything from this class, explain why you have not learned anything. To receive credit for this question, you must practice self-reflection; that is, you must asb yourself questions like these: "What is life about?' "Why am I here?" "What mabes life worth living?" "How did I arrive at the beliefs I have? Why do I believe what I believe?"
10.) Will You Vote In The Presidential Election Come November? If you answer "Yes," Why? If you answer "No," Why? Do you have a right to bitch, complain, moan, or object to any political or economic decisions resulting from your failure to vote?