Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0134333012 ISBN 13: 9780134333014

Publisher: Prentice Hall Europe, 1998

Introducing Cultural Studies provides students with an up-to-date introduction to the expanding and controversial field of cultural studies. The book offers an overview and exploration of some of the most important avenues of research in the field, and is divided into two parts. The first on cultural theory introduces the core themes and concerns of the book and examines the multiple meanings of culture, communication, representation, power and inequality. The argument is that cultural studies as an activity produces knowledge that separate disciplines cannot. The second part of the book examines different dimensions of culture. Reflecting contemporary developments in the humanities and social sciences more widely, as well as in cultural studies, the book considers space, time, politics, the body, subculture and visual culture. Through its representation of past and contemporary research in cultural studies and its use of easily understood summaries, Introducing Cultural Studies offers students a complete overview of the present state of the field.

From the Back Cover:

A rapidly changing world – in part driven by huge transformations in technology and mobility - means we all encounter shifting cultures, and new cultural and social interactions daily. Powerful forces such as consumption and globalization exert an enormous influence on all walks and levels of life across both space and time. Cultural Studies remains at the vanguard of consideration of these issues.

This completely revised second edition of Introducing Cultural Studies gives a systematic overview of the concepts, theories, debates and latest research in the field. Reinforcing the interdisciplinary nature of Cultural Studies, it first considers cultural theory before branching out to examine different dimensions of culture in detail.

Key features

• Collaboratively authored by an interdisciplinary team
• Closely cross-referenced between chapters and sections to ensure an integrated presentation of ideas
• Figures, diagrams, cartoons and photographs help convey ideas and stimulate
• Key Influence, Defining Concepts, and Extract boxes focus in on major thinkers, ideas and works
• Examines culture along the dividing lines of class, race and gender
• Weblinks and Further Reading sections encourage and support further investigation

Changes for this edition

• Brand new chapter addresses how culture is researched and knowledge in cultural studies is produced
• Brand new chapter on the Postmodernisation of Everyday Life
• Includes hot topics such as globalization, youth subcultures, ‘virtual’ cultures, body modification, new media, technologically-assisted social networking and many more

This text will be core reading for undergraduates and postgraduates in a variety of disciplines - including Cultural Studies, Communication and Media Studies, English, Geography, Sociology, and Social Studies – looking for a clear and comprehensible introduction to the field.

Brian Longhurst, Greg Smith, Gaynor Bagnall, Garry Crawford and Elaine Baldwin are in the School of English, Sociology, Politics and Contemporary History at the University of Salford. Miles Ogborn is in the Department of Geography at Queen Mary, University of London. Scott McCracken is in the School of Humanities, Keele University

 

"Authoritative. Up-to-date. Invaluable"

Dr Matt Hills, School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Cardiff University

 

 

About the Author:

Brian Longhurst, Greg Smith, Gaynor Bagnall, Garry Crawford and Elaine Baldwin are in the School of English, Sociology, Politics and Contemporary History at the University of Salford. Miles Ogborn is in the Department of Geography at Queen Mary, University of London. Scott McCracken is in the School of Humanities, Keele University.