Culture

Culture, Raymond Williams once wrote, is one of the most difficult
words in language. Since then the concept has become part of our
everyday vocabulary; it is used in a variety of different contexts:
to describe the behaviour of corporations or criminals; to provide
personal and national identity; it even gives its name to a
Department of State.

In this engaging new textbook, Fred Inglis charts the history of
the concept from its origins in the German Enlightenment to
contemporary attempts to come to terms with the cultural impact of
globalization. Drawing on the work of leading philosophers and
theorists, the author adopts a broadly chronological approach to
explore the changing definitions and contestations of culture over
time. He concludes by highlighting the potential shortcomings of
postmodernism, and argues for the continuing need to apply ancient
values of truthfulness, goodness and beauty to all discussions of
culture.

This lively introduction will be of interest to undergraduate
students and scholars in sociology, politics, anthropology,
cultural and media studies.