Media Studies: A Reader

by Sue Thornham

Media A Reader introduces a full range of theoretical perspectives through which the media may be explored, analysed, critiqued, and understood. The Reader reaches back to essential statements from writers such as Raymond Williams, Stuart Hall, Marshall McLuhan, Jurgen Habermas, Jean Baudrillard and Michel Foucault, whose work was central to forming the field. It also includes wide ranging work on contemporary media formations from a stellar collection of diverse theorists, including Annabelle Sreberny, Paul Gilroy, Charlotte Brunsden, Angela McRobbie, Asu Askoy and Kevin Robins, Micheal Bull, and Nick Couldry, to name only a very few of those included. Finally, the Reader looks to the future, exploring new media formations and their significance, through the work of Mark Andrejevic, Lev Manovich, Jonathan Sterne and others. The sixty-five readings are divided into two main 'Studying the Media' begins with a section on key theoretical perspectives and follows this with five sections opening up questions around the Public Sphere, Representation, Feminism and Gender, Audiences, and Everyday Life respectively. The second part, 'Case Studies', brings together concrete examples of how theoretical approaches can be realised through a series of case studies, covering for instance, reality TV, news, advertising, and new media. With easy-to-follow introductions and guides to further reading accompanying each section, Media A Reader equips the student to engage with key debates in the field. This new edition updates all sections with a rich selection of contemporary writing complementing re-chosen media 'classics'. In * Further Reading lists have been comprehensively updated * Introductory essays to each section have been expanded and re-written

912 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

Reviews

[Simon Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for my Media Literacy Theory class in college and it was, quite frankly, a challenge. Though many of the pieces are extremely interesting and poignant, the point of the book is to squeeze out the true nature of media theory writing, and this kind of writing is… experimental.

Even though many of the pieces in this book were challenging and tricky, it was great to pair them with a weekly class discussion that sort of anchored each theory/point. All in all, heavily academic, inaccessible, and experimental, but a gem if that’s what you’re looking for.

[Cynbel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Large book of various media studies and theories, was required for my Media Theory class, decided to read the whole thing. Some are pretty dry reads, others are very interesting, but there was a lot I already knew and understood.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refer to this book often, timeless insights that have yet to be fully realized. Excellent additon to any one's library.

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOOO GOOOD! Mostly cause of Scout.