Representations of Racism and Sexism: Saussure, Barthes, Foucault and Me.
The popular representation of academia today remains that of the "ivory tower". The application of the ideas of Saussaure, Barthes and Foucault to our everyday lives demonstrates the validity of their analysis, even in contemporary consumerist culture. Indeed, this essay will argue that it is precisely this validity which has led to the construction of the representation of academia as an ivory tower by those forces who would attempt to limit the potential of academia to "infect" consumers with the knowledge and capacity to resist mass culture. To illustrate this argument, it is necessary to begin from a personal perspective as a Chinese female. 4 pgs. 1 f/c. 1b.
