While I thought that Dr. Pound did a great job explaining Ideology today in class, if you’re still having some trouble with Althusser, try reading the article by Fiske. When I read them yesterday, I read Althusser’s “Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses” first. Althusser’s article started off as a relatively straightforward read, but as it went on it got more and more convoluted, especially in regards to the subject. When I finished the article, I put it down and immediately did something else just to give my brain a rest. Eventually I felt brave enough to attempt the Fiske article. I sat down in my chair, took a deep breath, and was pleasantly surprised. Fiske’s “Culture, Ideology, Interpellation” was written in more accessible language. Part way through his paper, he starts talking about Althusser in that same accessible language. He made Althusser sound so easy that I couldn’t believe I was originally confused.
So if you’re having trouble, try giving Fiske’s article a read!
An Acquaintance with Letters 