Media, Culture & Society: A Critical Reader

Since its inception in 1979, Media, Culture & Society has published some of the finest theoretical and historical work in communication and cultural studies to emerge from Britain and continental Europe. Such distinguished scholars as Raymond Williams, Pierre Bourdieu, Stuart Hall, and Philip Elliot have contributed articles that have had a profound impact on the fields of political science, sociology, and media studies. The journal has pioneered a unique and refreshing approach to the analysis of the media, offering a stimulating alternative to both the traditional empirical "effects" school and Althuserrian Marxism. Grouped in three parts, the articles in this critical reader represent a cross section of the best work published in Media, Culture & Society. Preceding each article is a useful introductory essay that will enable students to better comprehend the issues discussed. This book will prove to be an invaluable guide to the influential tradition of media studies and a welcome asset both to teachers and students of communication and sociology-of-culture courses. "This valuable book is an anthology of sixteen articles published in the journal Media, Culture, & Society between 1975-1985. There is a great deal more importance in this book than space to discuss it." --The Book Review