Understanding Media Cultures
Social Theory and Mass Communication
Sociology of Mass Media
The Second Edition of this book provides a comprehensive overview of the ways in which social theory has attempted to theorize the importance of the media in contemporary society. Now fully revised to take account of the recent theoretical developments associated with New Media and Information Society, as well as the audience and the public sphere, Understanding Media Cultures:
- Critically examines the key social theories of mass communication
- Highlights the work of individual theorists including Fiske, Williams, Hall, Habermas, Jameson, McLuhan and Baudrillard.
- Covers the important traditions of media analysis from feminism, cultural studies and audience research.
- Now includes a discussion of recent perspectives developed by Castells, Haraway, Virilio and Schiller.
- Provides a glossary of key terms in media and social theory
Retaining all the strengths of the previous edition, Understanding Media Cultures, offers a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the field. It will be essential reading for students of social theory, media and cultural studies.
Praise for the First Edition:
`Those interested in understanding contemporary debates over the media should find this book to be extremely valuable' - Douglas Kellner, University of Texas at Austin
`I can't think of a book in media studies that handles so well the diversity of perspectives and issues that Stevenson addresses. Whether reconstructing Marxism or deconstructing postmodernism, tackling the pleasures of soap opera or the repetitive structures of daily news presentation, Stevenson is always clear and insightful' - Sociology
In depth and critical exploration of central debates in media and society
I will be suggesting this text as a supplimentary text but dont think its fits in to what I had in mind for the course
Very interesting and in-depth text book, although it is a little bit challenging for my first-year undergraduate students. I would recommend it for further reading in the second and final year of study.
I love this book. Not really for undergraduate level but certainly recommended for those pursuing postgrad studies in mass comm and related subjects.
This book has good reading material that can help students expand their knowledge and understanding of theories related to Media cultures. I'm also going to use this book for another course I'm giving in Media Theory. I'm also going to order this book to be brought to the School's Library.
New to the Second Edition:
Each chapter revised to take account of the recent theoretical developments associated with 'new media' and the 'information society'
Includes new discussions of recent perspectives developed by Castells, Haraway, Virilio and Schiller which were not in the First Edition.
