Tony Schirato

Geoff Danaher

Derided and disregarded by many of his contemporaries, Michel Foucault is now regarded as probably the most influential thinker of the twentieth century--his work is studied across the humanities and social sciences, among other disciplines. Readin

Understanding Foucault

Prof Jen Webb

Bourdieu's work is formidable - the journey is tough. Follow this French foreign legion - take an apple, take a hanky - but take this book' - "Peter Beilharz, La Trobe University "A good range of recent examples from popular culture are used to flesh out the material in accessible terms. These examples are deployed very well indeed - rather than being tacked-on illustrations of an idea, they are instead used at the heart of the explanation of the ideas'" - David Gauntlett, Leeds University " Now considered one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century, Pierre Bourdieu has left his mark on most of the 'big' theoretical issues in the world of contemporary theory: gender, subjectivity, the body, culture, citizenship, and globalization. His terms are now commonplace: 'social capital', 'cultural capital', 'field', and 'habitus'. Bourdieu examines how people conduct their lives in relation to one another and to major social institutions. He argues that culture and education aren't simply minor influences, but as important as economics in determining differences between groups of people. Unlike the other grand systematisers Marx and Foucault, Bourdieu has tested these arguments in detailed fieldwork. His range is eclectic, his vision is vast, and his writing is often dense and challenging. Understanding Bourdieu offers a comprehensive introduction to Bourdieu's work. It is essential reading for anyone tackling him for the first time.

Understanding Bourdieu

Susan Yell

From Saussure to Bourdieu, from Freud to Fouclault, this book outlines a range of theoretical approaches to the study of communication and culture. Concepts are introduced in everyday particular contexts to demonstrate the essential skills of textual analysis. The book focuses on three primary' systems of communication: spoken, written and visual. Examples are chosen from contemporary popular culture and common social and cultural practices in a range of media, including newspapers, magazines, television, film, politics, internet discussions and ordinary speech.

An Introduction

Communication and Culture

Anita Brady

"A rather perfect textbook at the right level. It opens up issues of transgender very well and is critical in just the right tone. Much needed in media and cultural studies." - Angela McRobbie, Goldsmiths Acknowledged as one of the most influential thinkers of modern times, an understanding of Judith Butler's work is ever more essential to an understanding of not just the landscape of cultural and critical theory, but of the world around us. Understanding Judith Butler, however, can be perceived as a complex and difficult undertaking. It needn't be. Using contemporary and topical examples from the media, popular culture and everyday life, this lively and accessible introduction shows you how the issues, concepts and theories in Butler's work function as socio-cultural practices. Giving due consideration to Butler's earlier and most recent work, and showing how her ideas on subjectivity, gender, sexuality and language overlap and interrelate, this book will give you a better understanding not only of Butler's work, but of its applications to modern-day social and cultural practices and contexts.

Understanding Judith Butler

Thierry Jutel

Angi Buettner

Understanding Media Studies is a lively and thought-provoking text with application for a wide range of courses. It uses an up to date framework and contemporary examples to guide students from square one to a complex understanding of the key concepts of media analyses. Focussing on the relations between the media and its audiences and users, Understanding Media Studies examines the forms of address, strategies, literacies and practices that characterise those relations. The authors have used recurrent case studies across the chapters to illustrate different concepts, helping students to view forms of media in a number of contexts.

Understanding Media Studies

Sanjay Srivastava

David Birch

This concise introduction to contemporary Asian societies goes beyond the clichés and stereotypes to explore the cultural dynamics of the region. Bringing together a range of excellent "Asian" experiences, the authors show that there is no one "Asian" culture. They explore the impact of the colonial era and examine how current global trends intersect with local traditions and histories. Drawing upon recent advances in critical communication and cultural studies, the authors survey the politics of the information age, religion, the position of women, sexuality, and ethnic identity. With examples from countries across the region, Asia provides the tools needed to recognize, understand, and discuss Asian cultures and cultural difference.

Cultural Politics in the Global Age

Asia

Using contemporary and topical examples from the media, popular culture, and everyday life, this lively and accessible introduction shows how the issues, concepts, and theories in Judith Butler’s work function as socio-cultural practices. Giving due consideration to Butler’s earlier and most recent work, and showing how her ideas on subjectivity, gender, sexuality and language overlap and interrelate, this book gives a better understanding not only of Butler’s work, but of its applications to modern-day social and cultural practices and contexts.

Tony Schirato

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