Book Description
An effective supplement to any standard sociology text, this broad and comprehensive sociological description of five diverse contemporary societies with wide geographic distribution – Japan, Mexico, Egypt, Germany, and the Bushmen of Namibia – is organized around basic sociological topics: culture, social structure, and group life, socialization, deviance, social institutions, social stratification, and social change. Fictional vignettes of individuals in each country help students experience first-person viewpoints on life in five very different societies. By comparing other societies with their own, students read about the range of social variation, learn what makes their own society distinctive, and gain a unique and fascinating vantage point on what sociology offers in a world of rapid social change.
Book Description
Introducing Cultural Studies provides students with an up-to-date introduction to the expanding and controversial field of cultural studies. The book offers an overview and exploration of some of the most important avenues of research in the field, and is divided into two parts. The first on cultural theory introduces the core themes and concerns of the book and examines the multiple meanings of culture, communication, representation, power and inequality.
The argument is that cultural studies as an activity produces knowledge that separate disciplines cannot. The second part of the book examines different dimensions of culture. Reflecting contemporary developments in the humanities and social sciences more widely, as well as in cultural studies, the book considers space, time, politics, the body, subculture and visual culture. Through its representation of past and contemporary research in cultural studies and its use of easily understood summaries, Introducing Cultural Studies offers students a complete overview of the present state of the field.
Features: Up-to-date research-based introductions to specific topics such as space, time and the body allow students to understand key cutting-edge aspects of the field. Boxed summaries of key figures give an overview of important writers in one place. Boxed summaries of key concepts and definitions provide overviews of important concepts and definitions. A variety of extracts, photos, recap lists, learning objectives and diagrams illustrate key points and break up the discursive nature of the text. Collaboratively authored by a research active team who represent different disciplines- English, Anthropology, Geography and Sociology.
Book Description
Provides an incisive tour through this complex subject, charting its origins in Britain and its migration to the U.S.A.
Customer Reviews:
How modern myths are made.......2007-09-01
This book, like all in its series, intends to simplify a topic with short remarks (crowded with cartoons) for short attention spans and easy access. For the topic of Cultural Studies, however, it fails to state the obvious - that Cultural Studies (CS) is a political faction. One invented as an ally against the West now that communism failed so miserably. CS is a close relative to Feminist Theory, Women's Studies and White Studies, all pushing political agendas - under the guise of academic freedom - with as much intellectually sounding venom as they can pass without simply stating their rage in English. The book does a fair job of revealing how CS does this, without intending to be so transparent - i.e. searching for historical connections between modern "signs & symbols" and some form of oppression, real or imagined. Still using Foucault's long dismissed "other", CS scours Western Civilization for those capable of carrying our highly cherished label of "victim" in order to indict the West. Like its postmodern relations, this book does a fair job in displaying how much denial, selectivity and willful ignorance is required to keep the "theory" safe, sounding a great deal like religious fundamentalism.
We see the goal of CS is to bring forward lost meanings associated with signs and symbols or recast them though convenient revision in order to keep the fires of loathing burning hot. The purpose being to motivate oppressed "others" enough to one day break free by an inspired force demanded when resisting the Giant David. If it weren't for CS, the oppressed frequently wouldn't even know they were (recalling the infamous Mary Koss / Ms Magazine rape study).
Opening with an analysis of the name of an Indian restaurant, its historical connections to oppression by a colonial, imperialistic West we see how the argument unfolds. The Lincoln Monument serves as a simple example for Americans: A copy of the Parthenon of ancient Athens, a symbol ("sign") of civilization's greatest achievements in art, engineering, the rule of law, democracy, valor, and heroism, all wrapped up in a temple to the goddess Athena. To those tenured in Cultural Studies, this copy in the form of Lincoln's Monument is "in fact" a symbol of male oppression over women, clearly expressed by the statue of a god-like male stealing the thrown of a goddess, with not even a mention, sign or symbol of women in the entire building. And of a white man to boot. Ignoring the small matter of Lincoln's opposition to slavery - merely as a "text" - there is no sign or symbol for people of color, or other sexuality. Racism, sexism and homophobia seep from its marble walls. Signs of dominance, of Western reason, law, science, all on display to intimidate non-Western peoples through the usurpation of architecture from a long dead people as though it were our own. Where is it fairly stated that Lincoln's Monument is a copy, or that Jefferson's is the Roman Pantheon or Washington's an Egyptian Obelisk? (Empires all.) It isn't. To Americans, these are, "Just another pretty building". If we only realized these were beacons of subjugation, we might be persuaded to bring them to their foundations and to the gleeful satisfaction of our scholars.
One will not discover in Cultural Studies (this book or others) that without exception, every civilization, religion, race, gender or sexuality has committed crimes against other people, animals and the planet because to CS - like all of postmodernism - an exclusive group is to be found guilty. The goal is not to correct wrongs, but to create more in order to delight emotional desires to get even. The application of reason, naturally, a form of "Western bigotry", is not to be found well practiced in CS, as with any dogma.
And this is what we teach succeeding generations at the university... Doomed.
Additional on "Introducing Cultural Studies".......2006-02-26
The book is enlightening as an introduction. I recommend it. I do detect a strong British oriented and influenced view of the topic which, in certain ways, is refreshing. The United States tends to seem to think of itself as the center or the world and it's nice to read a book with at least a slightly different point of view.
It should be mentioned that the book is very heavily illustrated so that the page count is somewhat misleading. If the book were not illustrated, it would perhaps be 50 pages or less. The graphics do help enliven what might be a dry topic for some. The "Further Reading" section at the end will aid those who would like to continue more in depth.
LIGHT ESSAY OF CULTURAL STUDIES.......2000-07-21
Ziauddin Sardar's "Introduction to Cultural Studies" is nothing more than the title indicates. This lenghty essay merely presents basic concepts that are prevalent in a postmodern discourse between societal values, power relations, and the value placed on cultural "norms" given in various communities. Sardar presents the history of Cultural Studies as a discipline, which begins in a social context, but the analysis of which, takes place by various sociologists, philosophers (primarily Freud, Nietzche, and Hegel), and literary minds. Overall, the essay is enlightening as an introduction, a good preface to the discourse(s) one finds in most disciplines today.
Book Description
The Russian critic and theorist Mikhail Bakhtin is once again in favor, his influence spreading across many discourses including literature, film, cultural and gender studies. This book provides the most comprehensive introduction to Bakhtin’s central concepts and terms. Sue Vice illustrates what is meant by such ideas as carnival, the grotesque body, dialogism and heteroglossia. These concepts are then placed in a contemporary context by drawing out the implications of Bakhtin’s writings, for current issues such as feminism and sexuality. Vice’s examples are always practically based on specific texts such as the film Thelma and Louise, Helen Zahavi’s Dirty Weekend and James Kelman's How late it was, how late.
Customer Reviews:
Introduction to derivative Bakhtin Scholarship.......2001-02-11
This book is most misleading, and at best only an introduction to Bakhtin from Ms. Vice's viewpoint. It is an example of some of the "scholarship" currently riding the Bakhtin wave, heavily influenced by personalized interpretations of current trendy concepts and secondary scholarship. Her "alibi" (p.2) taken from Wall and Thomson, is that no study can function "from within Bakhtin's thought", and this presumably gives her justification to go entirely her own way, which is not bad, but is not supposed to be the intent of the book, and does very little for Bakhtin scholarship.
Vice chooses five different Bakhtinian "Concepts", Heteroglossia, Dialogism, Polyphony, Carnivalesque and Chronotope, and builds a chapter around each, illustrating them in every case with Novels or Films, mostly from the 1990's, chosen by her, none of which occur in Bakhtin's work. An example is the "Chronotope Chapter", which uses the Film "Thelma and Louise" as the central example. The reader will search in vain in the chapter and index for authors such as Goethe, Stendhal, Flaubert, Sterne, Hippel, Wezel, Jean Paul and others repeatedly mentioned as examples in Bakhtin's Essay: "Forms of Time and Chronotope in the Novel". This chapter is so far removed from Bakhtin's work, that it is impossible for the reader to get an understanding of his work, which was according to the definition of the Chronotope given by Bakhtin to show: "..the intinsic connectedness of temporal and spatial relationships that are artistically expressed in literature," (Bakhtin - p.84). It becomes questionable to what extent Vice understands the concepts discussed, and unlikely that she has read the examples used by Bakhtin.
It is difficult to understand how students, the supposed target audience of this book, according to the introduction, are supposed to come away with an understanding and appreciation of Bakhtin's work, when practically none of the many excellent examples he uses are even mentioned. Instead the book relies heavily on secondary Literature and current Bakhtin "Scholarship".
I can only recommend this book to readers who are fammilar with both Bahktin's work and subsequesnt studies. I instead highly recommend Gary Saul Morson and Caryl Emerson: "Creation of a Prosaics", a much more worthwhile introduction.
A Decent Intro to Some Fascinating Ideas.......2001-02-08
Sue Vice's book certainly achieves its stated goal of introducing the increasingly popular ideas of Mikhail Bakhtin to the general public. This books greatest aspect, perhaps, is that it manages separate out Bakhtin's major ideas from his many books. However, Vice's prose is sometimes a bit muddled and I occasionally found myself turning to the source material (Bakhtin) to clarify a point that she had made. Also, while no problem for me, someone not in the lit or philosophy field might have some trouble with the lit-crit terminology Vice throws at you. Overall a good book but could be a bit better.
Accomplishes its Objective.......1998-08-27
Sue Vice's "Introducting Bakhtin" does just that. As a relative newcomer to the field of literary theory (by way of cultural studies), I found the book to be a lucid introduction to Bakhtin and his concepts of heteroglossia, dialogism, polyphony, carnival, and the chronotope. Lit-crit discourse is a challenge to grasp as first, especially if one's background is in the social sciences, as mine is. But if the reader brings some patience and a true interest in Bakhtin and his ideas, he or she will be rewarded. My objective was be able to understand Bakhtian references in the cultural studies pieces I read as a doctoral student in consumer behavior. I am happy to report that, not only was this objective achieved, but I was further spurred to go directly to the source and read Bakhtin myself. Sue Vice does a fine job explaining and applying these complex ideas. I highly recommend this book.
Customer Reviews:
A Classic from one of the world's best scriptural scholars!.......2005-01-26
Introducing the Cultural Context of the Old Testament - Hear The Word Vol.1 - Paulist Press 1991 First Edition is out of print.
To Quote from this book:
"AN EXCITING IN-DEPTH BIBLE-STUDY PROGRAM -- INTRODUCING THE CULTURAL CONTEXT OF THE OLD TESTAMENT is an invitation to learn the Mediterranean culture of our ancestors in the faith in order to understand the Bible. This excellent Bible-study workbook for adults concentrates on Wisdom literature and guides readers through cross-cultural interpretation as it contrasts middle-class United States cultural values with those of the Mediterranean world."
As described, this book is a "program" ... and, "intended for the serious Bible student and will challenge the advanced learner."
Don C. Benjamin, Ph.D, Dept of Religious Studies, Rice University, quotes (on the back cover): "Finally, here is a study guide by a Catholic scholar and educator who understands both the Bible in its world and today's readers in theirs! ... What a wonderful service he provides to all those who set aside quality time to study the Bible together."
John Pilch is one of the best biblical/scriptural scholars to read, in my opinion. His "Cultural" Series of books that follow the Liturgical Cycle, A, B and C are equal examples of his wonderful sharing. Pilch is one of a kind, and THIS book is a classic!
Studying as an individual or as a group, "Introducing the Cultural Context of the Old Testament" should be must reading. It doesn't get any better than this.
Book Description
The fascinating story of one of the world's most famous rock 'n' roll songs
Customer Reviews:
Great read.......2006-04-11
I suppose I was always going to say that, having already been converted myself to Louie Louie as "the only rock and roll song you'll ever need" (collected 60+ versions to date). It's just a fascinating journey with so many unexpected twists and turns but the ever present "duh duh duh". And still amazingly relevant today. And funny!
Intrigue, high drama, and twists and turns.......2005-05-12
A new preface by the author graces the pages of Louie Louie: The History & Mythology Of The World's Most Famous Rock N Roll Song. While it's hard to see how any song, however famous, could earn an entire book discussion, once you delve into Dave Marsh's Louie Louie, with its intrigue, high drama, and twists and turns, it's hard to see what took so long for the full tale to come to light - and yes, it earns its own book. This new edition provides a new preface by Marsh as it covers the complexities of a song which involved even the FBI.
excellent history, memetics.......2002-01-10
By following the fate of one song Marsh gives us an excellent feel for how culture operates at a middle scale, somewhere between the micro-scale of individual performances and listenings and the macroscale of decades-long changes in musical styles. If you're interested in "memetics" but tired of empty bloviation about mind viruses and such, read this book and follow one musical meme on its tour of the memesphere.
The history of Rock'n'Roll: one song's perspective.......2001-11-05
Okay--truth be told, I bought this book as a joke. This book is no joke. Dave Marsh, an excellent writer, put together a real page-turner. (...)
Everything you wanted to know about Louie, Louie and more........1995-11-25
Half way through this book I knew more about this rock
song then I had ever wanted to know and then it kicked
in to the history of Paul Revere and the Raiders. I
keep on and she what other obscure trivia is to be
revealed.
Book Description
Introducing the World of Education: A Case Study Reader is a unique and invaluable anthology that addresses the entire realm of K-12 education. Edited by the best-selling author of
Case Study Research and
Applications of Case Study Research, this reader gives undergraduate and graduate students a solid introduction to the world of education by providing real-life situations in actual schools and communities from across the country. Yin has brought together a wide-ranging collection of whole or excerpted case studies with real data that move from classroom teaching and learning, to the bureaucracy of school districts and state departments of education, to the politics of school boards and community action. The cases in this book also cover salient contemporary policy topics such as school accountability and the assessment of student achievement. Few books, original or edited, have such a broad range of coverage while offering enough structure and context to lay the foundation for introductory education courses!
Key Features:
- Provides real-life case studies to give readers concrete data about actual conditions in K-12 education
- Explores diverse academic subjects as well as different education programs such as special education and bilingual education to introduce students to a variety of classroom settings
- Includes case studies written by well-known education professionals to provide insight from experts in the field
- Presents and examines different facets of case study methodology to help readers design or build their own case studies
- Offers a contemporary perspective on education to provide students with an accurate understanding of today’s classrooms
Introducing the World of Education is an ideal companion text for undergraduate and master's students in introductory education courses. The book is a must-have for students entering the world of education, professors teaching the world of education, in-service educators and administrators who desire a stronger foundation in case study research and a broad range of educational issues, and anyone who merely wants a glimpse at the challenges and opportunities in education today. Students and researchers in public administration and policy will also find this a valuable resource.
Book Description
Looks at how the Bard has been worshipped at different times and in different places, demonstrating to what cultural and political ends Shakespeare has been put, and explaining the intensity of current critical disputes.
Books:
- Gossip Girl #11: Don't You Forget About Me: A Gossip Girl Novel (Gossip Girl)
- Governance of the Consuming Passions: A History of Sumptuary Law
- Handbook of Material Culture
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- Hollywood Babylon: The Legendary Underground Classic of Hollywood's Darkest and Best Kept Secrets
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
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- Fundamentals of Insect Physiology
- Microsoft Office 2003 Illustrated Brief Microsoft Windows XP Edition
- Asian Dawn : Recovery, Reform and Investing in the New Asia
- Puerto Rico Official Industrial Directory 2001-2002
General
| Popular Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
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The Practical Skeptic: Core Concepts in Sociology
Global Inequalities (Sociology for a New Century Series)
Societies and Social Life: An Introduction to Sociology
The McDonaldization of Society
