Media, Communication, Culture
A Global Approach
Media, Communication, Culture offers a bold and
comprehensive analysis of developments in the field amidst the
effects of postmodernism and globalization. James Lull, one of the
leading scholars in the discipline, draws from a wide range of
social and cultural theory, including the work of John B. Thompson,
Thomas Sowell, Nestor Garcia Canclini, Anthony Giddens and Samuel
P. Huntington, to formulate a well balanced and highly original
account of key contemporary developments worldwide.
The first edition of Media, Communication, Culture became
a well established introductory text. For this new edition coverage
has been expanded from six to ten chapters, and has been thoroughly
updated to include all new developments in the field. In his
familiar and accessible style, Lull brings to life a diverse range
of examples and mini case studies which will prove invaluable to
the reader. These range from the hip-hop hybrids of New Zealand's
Maori youth and the vastly divergent meaning of race and culture in
Brazil and the United States to the global impact of McDonalds and
Microsoft. Complex theoretical ideas such as globalization,
symbolic power, popular culture, ideology, consciousness, hegemony,
social rules, media audience, cultural territory, and superculture
are explained in a clear and engaging way that challenges
traditional understandings.
By connecting major streams of theory to the latest trends in
the global cultural mix, the book provides a fresh and unsurpassed
introduction to media, communication and cultural studies. It will
prove essential reading for undergraduates and above in the fields
of media studies, communication studies, cultural studies and the
sociology of culture.
1. Ideology, Consciousness, Hegemony.
2. Social Rules and Power.
3. Culture and Cultural Power.
4. The Active Audience.
5. Meaning in Motion.
6. Itineraries of the Everyday.
Notes.
Glossary.
References.
Index.
'A comprehensive and fair-minded overview of the key media
theoreticians, past and present ... an admirably scrupulous
textbook.' Times Literary Supplement
'An entertaining and useful book ... a delight to read. Abstruse
theoretical concepts are presented in a readable and engaging
manner, perfectly suited for the student. Lull often braces his
assertions with examples drawn from the recent popular culture,
which undergraduates will enjoy. The text is amplified by a useful
glossary and reference section, as well as interesting graphics ...
Lull's work is certainly recommended.' MultiCultural
Review
'A most readable book on theory with examples to help explain
concepts like hegemony and post-modernism ... a good introduction
to media, communication, and culture for graduate or upper-level
students in communication.' Journalism and Mass Communication
Educator
'A useful glossary of common terms in media and cultural
studies. Lull brings his extensive experience in teaching and
cross-cultural audience research to good use, and there is an
impressive breadth of theoretical reference ... good,
student-friendly text.' Media International Australia
'This book needs to be taken seriously - what the author says is
actually quite frightening and offers a glimpse into the real world
of global media domination. A valuable addition to the study of
media that will have people thinking.' The Lecturer
José State University, California, and Adjunct Professor in
the Culture Program, University of Colima, Mexico. He is the author
of many previous books including Popular Music and
Communication (Sage, 1992), China Turned On: Television,
Reform and Resistance (Routledge, 1991) and Inside Family
Viewing: Ethnographic Research on Television's Audiences
(Routledge, 1990).