Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses

Read Louis Althusser’s 1970 essay “Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses (Notes Toward an Investigation)” which you can find at the link below focusing your attention on understanding his perspective on the nature and roles of what he calls Ideological State Apparatuses (ISAs) and their relation to what he refers to as the Repressive State Apparatus (RSA) and its component institutions. Although you are expected to read the entire essay, when preparing your own essay, stay focused primarily on the section (the equivalent of 14 pages in) entitled “The State Ideological Apparatuses”: http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/althusser/1970/ideology.htm
(move the cursor to the link, then hit the Ctrl key and left click on your mouse to make the link work OR copy and paste it into the address area and press enter)

With this knowledge and understanding fresh in your mind, view ONE of the films listed below, carefully noticing how the film represents specific Ideological State Apparatuses and component institutions of the RSA. Which ISA (and if applicable, RSA) institutions are featured and explored in depth? Does the film challenge the behaviour of each ISA or RSA that is prominent in the film or does it simply reproduce their normative roles?
Demonstrate an understanding of Althusser’s views of the nature and roles of the RSA and ISAs by interpreting and defining his key concepts and applying them in an analysis of how your film either challenges or reinforces the roles of the key ISAs and RSA representatives in your selected film. The purpose of the essay is to show an understanding of Althusser’s theory AS DISCUSSED BY HIM IN HIS ESSAY/ARTICLE and that you can interpret a film’s depiction of ISAs and RSAs, reflecting on whether and how the film is supporting the roles of these institutions or challenging them and suggesting the need for change. And what change the film suggests and in what way it suggests that need.

This is NOT an essay in which you prove that ISA and RSA institutions are present; focus instead on which specific ISAs or RSA is or are highlighted in the film and from what perspective (does it offer a critical view? A supportive view?) and HOW the film brings it to life and explores in detail (for example, is the family shown to be an institution in which its members are taught to live effectively in society or is it an institution in which the members function to challenge such a role and challenge society itself)?

Cite all sources (article, lecture, course documents) using either MLA or APA, whether you are paraphrasing your source or offering a word for word quoted passage. Anything described from the film does NOT require such citations as you will give the name, director and date of the film’s release at the start of the essay thus offering blanket coverage of all material you discuss from that film.

Begin your essay with a clear thesis statement offering your view of which ISAs and RSAs are in the film you are exploring and how the film’s representation of these institutions (using character, plot, dialogue, images, sound) reveals the strengths and weaknesses of these institutions in the society depicted in your film. The rest of the essay will offer a clear discussion of of Althusser’s views and detailed examples of how the film supports or challenges the role of ISAs and any RSA institutions in society.

The Film List (choose one film):

Silver Linings Playbook (David O. Russell, 2012) (American);
The Perks of Being A Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky, 2012) (American);
The Hunger Games (Gary Ross, 2012) American;
We Bought a Zoo (Cameron Crowe, 2011) American;
Monsieur Lazhar (Phippe Falardeau, 2011) Canadian;
War Witch (Rebelle) (Kim Nguyen, 2012) Canadian;
Midnight’s Children (Deepa Mehta, 2012) Canadian;
The Impossible (Juan Antonio Bayona, 2012) Spanish;
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (Lasse Hallström, 2011) British;
Bully (Lee Hirsch, 2011) (American documentary);
Skyfall (Sam Mendes, 2012) British;
The Day of the Doctor (dir. Nick Hurran, wr. Stephen Moffat, 2013) British (50th Anniversary episode of Doctor Who) British;
One Week (Michael McGowan, 2008) Canadian;
Monsters University (prequel to Monsters, Inc.) (Disney Pixar, dir. Dan Scanlon, 2013);
Dallas Buyers Club (Jean-Marc Vallee, 2013) American;
The Fifth Estate (Bill Condon, 2013) British/American/Belgian;
Still Mine (Michael McGowan, 2013) Canadian
Nebraska (Alexander Payne, 2013) American (to be released on DVD on Feb. 25th)
12 Years a Slave (Steve McQueen, 2013) British/American (to be released on DVD March 4th)
Gravity (Alfonso Guaron, 2013) British/American (to be released on DVD Feb, 25th)
Frozen (Walt Disney Animation Studio, dirs. Chris Black and Jennifer Lee, 2013) American (to be released on DVD March 18)

Make sure you choose a film to which you have access, so that you don’t find out the day before the essay is due that you can’t find a copy of the film to view.

Please Note: If you wish to write about a film not listed above (not encouraged), you must have it approved by the professor before you proceed, otherwise your essay may not be accepted; the films above have been carefully selected, and it would be preferred that your selection be from the choices offered in that list above.

A companion document dealing with how to structure your essay, how to cite course materials quoted or discussed in the essay, and what format to use (MLA, ASA, Chicago style) has been posted under Course Documents on Blackboard.

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