Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: A Reader

by John Storey (Contributor)

Whether used on its own or in conjunction with Cultural Theory and Popular An Introduction , this reader is a theoretical, analytical, and historical introduction to the study of popular culture within cultural studies. The readings cover the culture and civilization tradition, culturalism, structuralism and poststructuralism, Marxism, feminism, and postmodernism, as well as current debates in the study of popular culture.

New to this new readings by Stuart Hall, Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe, Judith Butler, and Savoj ŽižekFully revised general and section introductions that contextualize and link the readings with key issues in Cultural Theory and Popular An Introduction Fully updated bibliography

Ideal for courses studiesmedia studiescommunication studiessociology of culturepopular culturevisual studiescultural criticism

Genres: Nonfiction, Cultural Studies, Philosophy, Academic, Feminism, Theory, Pop Culture

680 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Professor John Storey, Professor of Cultural Studies, Director of Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies, University of Sunderland.

Reviews

[[ J o ]]

I have been exceedingly harsh with my rating, simply because the course I took that this book was used in was my least favourite thing I have ever done. It is very useful as a textbook, but you really have to like what it's going on about to truly appreciate it.

[Jeni]

Good intro. I have my unsurprising issues with excerpted text as a means to understanding a historical period, but this is a solid introduction to what are considered "pivotal texts" in the field.

[Katie]

This is probably the best theory reader for introductory pop culture. It isn't perfect, but I certainly appreciate that Storey continues to revise as time goes on.

[mehreen]

read the ninth edition for class, very insightful and informative

[Teghan]

An excellent overview of the major thinkers in cultural theory. This is one of the few books I've kept from undergrad and I'm still referring to it in a PhD. I've checked out a few of the newer editions and I think the 4th edition (green cover) is the best edition as it is a combo of original texts and interpretations/commentary.

[Venereal Bede]

Helpful! Please consider making a soft-cover paperback edition. This one cuts through my fingers.
(Uni books i'll never finish)

[Gema Sánchez]

Mi primer acercamiento a esta línea de investigación y ha sido totalmente interesante.

[Amal Abu Yahia]

Read in April 2021

[ray]

raymond williams we fucking love you

[Leon]

read chapter 1: “What is Popular Culture?”

[Flora]

read for my media & pop culture class

did i understand everything? no. will i be pretentious and insufferable whenever my friends talk about pop culture? yes.

[Hrvoje]

Excellent source for anyone who is in the cultural studies. However, four star ratings comes from the fact that this is a collection of many different authors, so reading sometimes seems like driving a Ferrari and shifting from the highest to the lowest gear (pardon my driving analogy). Although there is natural progression of the chapters, their styles are sometimes vastly different and that can be a big nuisance. Best read over longer period of time, so you can really absorb each and every part of it. Must have for anyone, but maybe advanced users will find it a bit too basic.

[Mathew Powers]

It's done well, it's written well, and if you are a budding cultural historian, it's a good manual to have with you in your historical tool belt. However, it's filled with theory, it gives heavy weight to some subjects, such as economics and feminism, while others are given little time -- religion, race, etc. Ultimately, it is a ton of theory and not much in the way of tangible arguments are given. It's a good book, but it is not my cup 'o tea. To be honest, it bored me. Still, the quality of the writing and information is certainly average to just above average.

[Hana]

Full of great texts. Sometimes I felt like a better representation could have been made. For example, deeper connections or more significant papers could have been chosen as to better represent fields of study. Was particularly unimpressed with the representation of psychoanalysis. Overall, a decent textbook but less then thrilling for the avid and insightful reader aiming to make bolder connections.

[Phil Benson]

A great introduction which i eventually read cover to cover (it took a couple of years). One caveat: this is about the study of popular culture in the field of cultural studies and it ends up with the debate over critique vs celebration of the early 90s. A lot of water under the bridge since then, which isn't covered here

[Emilie]

"We tend to underestimate the extent to which the cultural tradition is not only a selection but also an interpretation"

[Agnès]

Aquest llibre és un llibre de capçalera pel meu camp que és el de la teoria cultural (sempre amb perspectiva història, siusplau). Si no t'agrada el tema al nivell màxim de frikisme, és un tostón.