structionalism, Poststructionalism and Postmodernism Flashcards
(23 cards)
What do structuralism, poststructuralism, and postmodernism focus on in geographical thought?
They focus on how knowledge is constructed through language, institutions, and culture rather than existing independently as objective reality.
What is the significance of the grand piano on a sandbar in Miami?
It illustrates how meaning is not inherent in physical space but is created through social interpretation.
Who laid the foundation for structuralism?
Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure.
In structuralism, what are the two components of a word?
- Signifier (the spoken or written form)
- Signified (the concept it represents)
What does structuralism assume about meanings and relationships?
That they are fixed and discoverable.
How does structuralism extend beyond linguistics?
It applies to broader cultural and social systems, analyzing myths, kinship, and social practices.
What does poststructuralism challenge?
It challenges the idea of fixed meanings and truths.
Who are two key thinkers associated with poststructuralism?
- Jacques Derrida
- Michel Foucault
What is deconstruction according to Derrida?
A method of reading texts to reveal contradictions and hidden assumptions.
What is a key idea of Foucault’s work?
Knowledge is produced within discourses that define what can be known and how truth is determined.
What does Foucault’s concept of disciplinary power explain?
How institutions monitor and shape behaviour.
What is a characteristic of a poststructuralist article?
It critiques fixed meanings and universal truths.
What does postmodernism reject?
Grand narratives and universal truths.
Who are two thinkers associated with postmodernism?
- Jean-François Lyotard
- Jean Baudrillard
What does postmodern architecture embrace?
Eclecticism, playfulness, and pastiche.
What concept did Baudrillard introduce?
Hyperreality.
What is hyperreality?
A condition where media representations become more real than reality itself.
What is a key characteristic of postmodernism in culture?
Fragmentation and multiple interpretations.
What methodology does structuralism use?
Identifying patterns, structures, and binary oppositions.
What methodology does poststructuralism use?
Critiquing dominant discourses and revealing hidden assumptions.
What are the geographical implications of structuralism?
Landscapes and spaces are structured by deep-seated cultural codes.
What are the geographical implications of poststructuralism?
Space and identity are constructed and contested through discourse.
What are the geographical implications of postmodernism?
Reality is mediated by representation; space is fragmented and fluid.
