Introducing Cultural Studies

Introducing Cultural Studies offers a systematic overview of the concepts, theories, and latest research in the expanding field of cultural studies. Reinforcing the inter-disciplinary nature of the field, the text begins with a presentation of cultural theory and then looks at different dimensions of culture in detail, including such topics as space, time, politics, the body, and visual culture. This volume will provide undergraduate and graduate students in cultural studies, English, geography, sociology, social studies, communication, anthropology, and media studies with a clear and comprehensible introduction to the field.
-- Figures, diagrams, cartoons, and photographs illustrate ideas.
-- Summaries of key influences give information on the life and works of major thinkers, including Raymond Williams, Michel Foucault, Antonio Gramsci, Roland Barthes, Edward Said, Mikhail Bakhtin, bell hooks, Julia Kristeva, and others.
-- "Defining Concepts" sections focus on important ideas and help develop understanding of controversial topics, such as psychoanalysis, structuralism and poststructuralism, feminism, modernity, and postmodernity.
-- Collaboratively authored by a team that represents different disciplines: English, anthropology, geography, and sociology.
-- Direct and accessible style, organized in a clear, logical manner.

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