#5

1) Discuss the following Flash game in terms of ideology and hegemony. Define each term, and then explain them through the game (100-150 words).

http://gamescene.com/The_Urinal_Game.html

Ideology is also known as common sense. Defined in Stuart Hall’s terms as “those images, concepts, and premises… through which we represent, interpret, understand and ‘make sense’ of some aspect of social existence.” Hegemony is related – it is the construction and maintenance of ideology (for example, education, the workplace, religious institutions). In The Urinal Game, ideology and hegemony are both demonstrated because when it asks you to click which one you would choose, you use your ‘common sense’ and choose the one farthest away from someone and what not. I am obviously not a boy, but I had common sense enough not to choose a urinal right next to someone. It shows hegemony because this is an everyday occurrence, especially for males.