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The Cultural Studies Reader

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This book provides the ideal introduction for students to this exciting discipline. It presents a selection of influential essays, covering every important cultural studies method and theory, with a succinct editor's preface to each, and an extensive guide to further reading.

576 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

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About the author

Simon During

17 books8 followers

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5 stars
54 (27%)
4 stars
82 (42%)
3 stars
45 (23%)
2 stars
10 (5%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Mariana Carvalho.
8 reviews
October 18, 2024
Li o artigo da bell hooks: “A Revolution of Values: The Promise of multicultural change”, e a avaliação desta leitura vai apenas para aí.
bell foi uma teórica muito importante e necessária para a luta contra a desigualdade, que Mulher!!
Profile Image for Jessica.
16 reviews
June 25, 2007
this is an excellent resource for anyone interested/studying anything culturally related. i found myself using it in multiple classes, both for my own education and my students. i've even picked it up for some heavy personal reading.
Profile Image for متین آزادی.
5 reviews1 follower
February 18, 2022
مقالات بسیار خوب و مهم در یک مجموعه عالی با ترجمه‌ای قابل قبول
Profile Image for Viktoria Chipova.
509 reviews2 followers
July 4, 2025
5/5 Stars - The Indispensable Gateway to Cultural Studies

"The Cultural Studies Reader," expertly edited by Simon During, is not just an anthology; it's a meticulously curated intellectual journey through the foundational and most influential texts of cultural studies. For anyone seeking to grasp the breadth, depth, and interdisciplinary nature of this vital field, this reader is an absolutely essential and truly five-star resource.

What makes this collection so brilliant is During's masterful selection and organization of essays. He brings together the canonical voices – from Raymond Williams and Stuart Hall to Michel Foucault and Judith Butler – alongside lesser-known but equally crucial contributions. The reader provides a comprehensive overview of cultural studies' evolution, its key theoretical debates, its diverse methodologies, and its engagement with various aspects of culture, including media, class, gender, race, identity, and power.

During's introductions to each section and to individual essays are invaluable. They don't just summarize; they contextualize, highlight key arguments, and illuminate the connections and tensions between different theoretical approaches. This editorial guidance transforms what could be a daunting collection of complex academic papers into a coherent and navigable intellectual landscape, making it accessible to both students and seasoned scholars.

The sheer range and intellectual firepower contained within these pages are astounding. You'll encounter groundbreaking analyses of ideology, hegemony, representation, discourse, and subjectivity. The essays challenge conventional wisdom, provoke critical thinking, and demonstrate the power of cultural analysis to reveal the hidden workings of power in everyday life. It's a book that constantly pushes you to question, to connect, and to see the world through a more nuanced and critical lens.

"The Cultural Studies Reader" is more than just a textbook; it's a living dialogue between some of the most brilliant minds of the past century. It showcases the dynamism and political imperative of cultural studies, proving its enduring relevance in understanding the complexities of contemporary society. For anyone embarking on or deepening their engagement with cultural studies, this reader is the definitive starting point and an indispensable companion. It truly earns its perfect score.
Profile Image for Alex.
418 reviews20 followers
June 29, 2019
A comprehensive sample of essays detailing what cultural studies is as a field of research and why it's so important to the maintenance of the modern world; extremely useful, even if large parts of it feel rather dated.
168 reviews1 follower
December 8, 2021
I read the majority of the passages from this book for a comparative literature course on navigating the city in literature and media this semester. It was an excellent class, and there’s a good selection of pieces from very distinguished scholars featured in this book.
Profile Image for Amy.
756 reviews43 followers
December 31, 2022
Covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to so called cultural studies. Obviously this is 30 years dated so it’s quaint to read from this 90’s vantage point but things haven’t changed that much so most of the arguments and analysis feel foundational rather than irrelevant.
Profile Image for alisha.
512 reviews737 followers
November 12, 2023
lmc 2000 put me through the fucking WRINGER. w this one. but i read a LOT of really good shit and the benjamin essay stays rent free! in my head. loveeeee this love my silly little peepaw prof and so excited to write my female gaze vs butler paper!
Profile Image for Az.
16 reviews
May 1, 2017
Excelente revisión y recopilación de textos claves para entender los estudios culturales desde una perspectiva histórica. Es un mosaico representativo de los mayores aportes a esta disciplina de estudio durante el siglo XX.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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