Abstract

The concept of reflexivity is key within the body of work of Anthony Giddens because it links basic topics such as agency, routines and institutions. A bibliographic analysis examines reflexivitys different uses and limitations. According to the problem about the link between the micro and the macro in sociology, the first part identifies the role of reflexivity within the theory of structuration. Then the analysis shifts to the role of Reflexivity in the production, reproduction, and change of modern institutions. Finally, as means to increase the analytic usefulness of the concept, a proposal for three uses of the term reflexivity is discussed. The proposal also highlights the perspective of observation and the subject of reflexivity. The proposed distinctions are put into play in order to argue against the apparent contradiction between reflexivity and routines. The conclusion highlights on several of the limitations in Giddens’ work and show a few ways to advance with the study of Reflexivity.

Abstract

Education about the media has been developing in the UK for at least 40 years. Various accounts of that history can be found elsewhere; this paper will just attempt to sketch out key features of the current scene, and to point readers to sources of more substantial information. Given that I work for the British Film Institute, a key player in this field, there is bound to be some bias in this account towards the BFI’s perspective: my defence is that, as every media educator knows, no account is ever completely unbiased.