Heterotopias And Stuart Hall Similarities

Stuart Hall and Michel Foucault’s theories have several similarities and also key differences. Starting with the similarities, both theories seem to be within the realm of the interpretive or constructivist paradigms. The theories take a subjective point of view in trying to understand the different social realities. Heterotopias have different layers of social reality, where the codes Hall talk about influence the social reality. Heterotopias also have many similarities with Hall’s negotiated mode of reading messages. While Heterotopias fit within a society, they often have deviant norms within them from the rest of society. This fits with the negotiated mode of reading messages since they are still reinforcing parts of the dominated meaning, but also deviating from parts of the dominant message. Heterotopias can also be considered spaces where negotiated or oppositional readings of messages take form. Since the social realities have a different frame in heterotopias, messages are probably decoded in a different context. The dominant ideologies of society also affect how heterotopias are interpreted and used. If a culture changes, than the heterotopia will change to fit the dominant ideology of a culture. Foucault’s example of

Foucault’s focus is on places within society that have a different set of norms from the society they are located in. Hall is more concerned with how messages are shaping that society, and how messages differ based on social contexts. Hall is also more focused on dominant messages shaping ideologies in society than Foucault is. While Foucault recognizes that the dominant culture can change how heterotopias are interpreted, his focus is not the dominant message itself. I would say Hall also takes a more critical paradigmatic approach than Foucault does. Hall focuses more on the power structure of society, and how the messages reinforce dominant