David Inglis, John Hughson

Gebundenes Buch

Confronting Culture

Sociological Vistas

Beschreibung

The study of culture is crucial for understanding many of the most important aspects of human life. Social scientists increasingly regard it as one of their central areas of interest, and sociologists have offered valuable and provocative insights into the nature of cultural life. Yet up until now, no single volume has brought together in a comprehensive fashion the array of ideas and viewpoints that together make up the specifically sociological study of culture. Confronting Culture rectifies this situation, offering a clear and accessible introduction to the complex field of the sociology of culture. Inglis and Hughson critically discuss the key contributions made to the study of culture by different streams of thought within sociology. They examine the nature of cultural matters as perceived by classical sociology, the Frankfurt School, English and American mass culture theorists, culturalists and cultural materialists, semioticians, poststructuralists and postmodernists, the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, and scholars within the 'production of culture' paradigm. The book will appeal to those studying culture both from within sociology and from the perspectives of other disciplines, such as cultural studies, media and communication studies, anthropology and literary studies.

Autor

David Inglis is a Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Aberdeen. John Hughson is a Lecturer in Sociology in the Department of Sport and Health at the University of Durham.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Polity Press
• Seitenzahl: 264
• Erscheinungstermin: 10. Oktober 2003
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 235mm x 153mm x 25mm
• Gewicht: 499g
• ISBN-13: 9780745625614
• ISBN-10: 0745625614
• Artikelnr.: 21968156

Rezensionen

"This is a most satisfying book! It covers so much, so well - the entire field of culture and its various interpretations. I do not know of any book quite like it." Charles Lemert, Wesleyan University

"This original and admirable textbook fills an important gap in the literature. The "sociology of culture" has crucial implications for our understanding of the concept of culture itself, so the book should appeal not just to students of sociology, but also to that far wider constituency, the area of "cultural studies". No other text, to my knowledge, fulfils this function and the authors have risen to the challenge of covering such a large compass of material very successfully." John Tomlinson, Nottingham Trent University

"

Confronting Culture is a truly excellent contribution to the enhancement of the sociology of culture. It combines beautifully a direct appreciation of the significance of culture with an acute analytical perspicuousness." Roland Robertson, University of Aberdeen

"This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the sociology of culture. The authors argue that the sociological study of culture is crucial for understanding what goes on both within and between particular groups and societies, and more generally for understanding human social life. They provide a detailed definition of culture, and relate it to sociological approaches developed in Germany, France, Great Britain and the United States. In particular, attention is paid to the Frankfurt School, British and American mass cultural theorists, the work of Bourdieu, and poststructuralist and postmodernist thought. The impact of globalisation and reflexivity upon culture and its study is also addressed. The authors conclude that the sociology of culture will continue to make an important contribution to understanding fundamental aspects of the human condition." Sage Race Relations