Understanding Representation
-Jim McGuigan, Loughborough University
Understanding Representation offers an accessible, engaging, and genuinely interdisciplinary introduction to the concept of representation. Drawing together the ideas, practices, and techniques associated with the subject, this book puts them in historical context and demonstrates their relevance to everyday life. Topics include linguistic and political representation, art and media, and philosophical and cognitive approaches.
Key Features
- Explains complex theories with a highly readable and refreshing writing style
- Demonstrates the techniques and perspectives offered by semiotics, discourse analysis, poetics, politics, narratology, and visual culture
- Covers the new ideas, practices, and media environments that have emerged since the work of Barthes, Eco, and Foucault
- Teaches readers how to interrogate and interpret the world of signs in which they live
Helping readers develop a sophisticated attitude toward meaning and understand the relationship between truth and identity, Understanding Representation is an essential introduction to what is meant by 'representation'.
'This is an extraordinarily lucid book. I am not sure that there is anyone who can do this sort of thing better than Jen Webb. It is a gift to students; extremely accessible yet complex and sophisticated in its treatment of theories and concepts of representation' - Jim McGuigan, Loughborough University
Very accessible and comprehensive discussion and explanation of complex theoretical ideas. I see this as an ideal introduction to representational theory for undergraduates and postgraduates alike. The book is varied and thorough whilst also structured in suitably short chapters and subsections that are useful for assigning as seminar reading or brief exercises in class. An impressive book for sure.
This is an excellent book which manages to convey a difficult concept (representation) in accessible language. Major philosophies from mainly post-structuralist practices are related with wit, charm and precision.
This book can introduce a methodological basis for research students practising in as diverse fields as ANT (as Deleuze is given prominence) and phenomenology.
A fantatsic intorduction to represenation and key theories that deals with issues of representation. The book would be extremly useful for students that are required to analyse current culture of representation and its relation to subjectivity and subject positions
Interesting topics covered, however, not essential enough in order to be the essential book in my class. But very good for supplemental readings and to deepen certain aspects.
Very useful reference book on aspects of photographic theory. The book is presented in clear, easily digestible sections which can be cross referenced with other parts of the course that I teach.
At the level I am teaching the students will not need this as an essential text but I will recommend it as extra reading.
'Understanding Representation' provides a clear introductory text to students who wish to explore issues of representation in their research. Providing engaging examples and exploring multiple forms of representations, this text allows students to develop an understanding of the term 'representation' - and what this means for their research.
Great book, but too advanced for my first-year course, sorry.
A very good, concise and useful book on representation - written in such a way that undergraduates and researchers will easily understand, without losing the intellectual drive.
I wanted a book that helped students address issues of representation in popular culture. Webb brings up good examples, but students not familiar with cultural studies got confused/alienated by her name-dropping. I may use it again in the future, but will keep trying other books.
