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Critical & Theoretical Studies
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Comparing & Contrasting Products

Today we where given an insight into comparing and contrasting products, which was something I would have to do for my essay. We were given a lecture on this subject which contained several examples to compare such as Batman and The Joker. The obvious contrast is that one is the hero and the other is the villain, but there were also many similarities, the fact that they both break the law, they both cover their identity, and they are both vigilantes.

I found this session helpful as the examples given to compare and contrast helped give me inspiration for the essay I would have to complete. 

Surrealism Presentation / Psychoanalysis

In today’s session we completed presentations on the subject of surrealism which we discussed before the holiday. Surrealism is a cultural movement and a form of art that is focused on expression. Surrealism’s origins date back to the 1920’s in France where Andre Breton pioneered the movement. Surrealist artists are famous for their creativity and imagination and their work does not necessarily focus on any logical meaning. Although I had some knowledge in this area already having studied art at school, I found that researching this topic was informative and intriguing.

We also discussed psychoanalysis later in the session, Sigmund Freud created the term ‘Psychoanalysis’ during his study of how the mind functions. He discovered the term through ideas in various theoretical and clinical studies.  Freud developed his theory into mental health treatment in an attempt to give people a better understanding of their mind.

Cancelled Session

Today’s session was cancelled due to staff absence.

Essay Proposal Introduction

Today we discussed our essay proposals with our tutor. I decided for my essay I would compare and contrast internet browsers. I decided that I would compare three products rather than two, the products are Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. I wanted to tie in Google Chrome as I thought it had become relevant to recent web trends in the past few years, I was given some constructive and helpful feedback for my tutor who felt the idea had enough background for me to create a substantial essay.
Now that my essay proposal has been completed and my idea is finalised, I can now begin my essay over the reading week.
Reading Week
There was no session this week due to reading week. This allowed me to progress with my essay.

Psychoanalysis Presentation

Today we presented our findings on Sigmund Freud and the subject of psychoanalysis. It was interesting to see what other groups had found out about psychoanalysis as I had a limited knowledge on the subject having just researched about it for the first time during these sessions. I found the presentations helpful and instructive.

Unable to attend this session

I was ill today and was unable to attend the session.

Essay Discussion

Today we went over our essay ideas and discussed how our essays our progressing with our tutor. Having only completed the introduction and proposal, I was able to receive some helpful advice on where to take my essay before diving into it. In this session I was able to plan out my essay more clearly and continue to type it up.

Essay Discussion & Feedback

In today’s session I was able to progress more with my essay and discuss any problems I was having with my tutor. I was relatively happy with the direction of my essay so far so I was able to continue with my work in today’s session quite freely. I finished today’s session with the essay near enough complete aside from a bibliography and proof reading.

Propaganda

Today we were given a lecture on propaganda. We were shown images of propaganda during the two world wars which contained biased opinions and views given by countries governments to give the notion that they are right and the enemy is wrong. The enemy is always portrayed as evil, and that what your country is doing is just.

After completing some more research into propaganda, it was easy to see how it is still relevant today.

Advertising

Today we were shown videos of current and past television advertisements. We looked at car advertisements for example Ford who only depicted men driving the car and the women riding in the passenger seat or the back. The concerns of equality and sexism were obviously not as prevalent at this time which allowed companies to get away with such adverts being televised.