Studying Culture: A Practical Introduction

By Judy Giles, Timothy Middleton, Tim Middleton

Book Overview

This accessible introduction to key areas in the study of culture is written specifically for those who are new to the subject. The editors' selection of readings, exercises and commentary open up the field of cultural studies to incorporate new work in cultural geography, gender studies and cultural history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0631206221
• ISBN13: 9780631206224
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.6" x 0.9" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

what makes culture ?

Culture can be such a vague and sweeping thing that a student often needs assistance in pinning down what exactly it might be. Giles and Middleton offer good advice. You can look for example at a group that shares a historical experience, possibly with religious associations. As in the Jewish or Armenian diaspora. This idea of a common history is perhaps the strongest attribute of many cultures. But other characteristics are also looked at. One might merely be geographic proximity. Here, the book glances at the megalopolis of Los Angeles and the numerous neighbourhoods that could often be of distinctive nature. Then there is the notion of high culture as contrasted to popular or mass culture. The Hollywood celebrity scene is the best known example of the latter, especially in a global sense.