Stuart Hall was a cultural theorist from Jamaica who helped develop cultural studies. Cultural studies examines how culture is influenced by powerful groups and media. It is based on Marxist ideas that the wealthy and powerful control institutions like media to maintain their dominance while less powerful groups accept the messages. For example, a company benefited after refusing a refund to the author's family for a faulty product they saw advertised on television.

1. Cultural Studies Theorist: Stuart Hall By: Rich Cuccagna

2. Stuart Hall Former high school teacher Former director of the Center for Contemporary Cultural Studies at the University of Birmingham in England Cultural theorist Of Jamaican descent Always tried to understand what his relationship was to his Jamaican culture This drive impacted his works The result was his work in Cultural Studies

3. Cultural Studies Theoretical perspective that focuses on how culture is influenced by powerful, dominant groups Rooted in politics Applicable to numerous things, such as the media Emphasizes that the media keep the powerful people in control while the less powerful absorb what is presented to them German philosopher Karl Marx’s writings and principles form the foundation of the theory

4. Cultural Studies’ Marxism Backdrop Karl Marx’s (1818-1883) beliefs provided Cultural Studies’ backdrop Marx believed that the rich and powerful dominated and took advantage of the poor and weak Marxist thinkers who believed the working class was oppressed because of corporate-owned media have been called the Frankfurt School theorists Some scholars consider Cultural Studies to be more neo-Marxist, which means the theory diverges from classical Marxism to some extent

5. Personal Account My family bought a fancy outdoor grill from an infomercial The outdoor grill was faulty, so we tried to return it The company refused to give us a full refund In the end, the company benefited at our expense With help from the medium of television, powerful people (the company) were kept in control while the less powerful (my family) absorbed what was presented to them Perfect example of the theory of Cultural Studies

6. Motivated Discussion Question As Americans, we have the freedom to choose our actions based on our wants and needs. Although the media can greatly influence our decisions, are they actually blamable if we make a bad choice based on their suggestions (such as in my personal account)?