The Practice of Cultural Studies

`This is a tour de force... It combines luminous discussion of the core conceptual issues of cultural studies, with a hard-headed, practical sense of how research in the field gets done. The result is a seriously smart, comprehensive survey of the whole terrain of cultural studies itself. This is a book on methods which readers will be able to make their own; and which -- uniquely in the genre -- will keep them buzzing' - Bill Schwarz, ***Queen Mary University of London

'The Practice of Cultural Studies is an original introduction to the field. It offers a sophisticated "how-to" guide to doing research in cultural studies. From the difficulties of formulating a problem to the unique articulations of specific methodologies in cultural studies, students will find this book both useful and challenging' - Professor Lawrence Grossberg, ***University of North Carolina

What is distinctive about cultural research? How does one do Cultural Studies? Unlike many other disciplines, cultural studies has not been explict about the nature of its practice. This book aims to redress the balance in favour of those who are studying culture by providing a comprehensive guide to researching and writing. Based on the methods course at Nottingham Trent and addressed to advanced undergraduates, Masters Level students and those just commencing a PhD, this book aims to provide an overview of specific research traditions in cultural studies, whilst also situating those traditions in their historical context.

The Practice of Cultural Studies:

· Identifies the main methods of researching culture

· Demonstrates how theory can inform and enable the practice of research

· Explores the ways in which research practices and methods both produce and are produced by knowledge

· Looks at the implications of the 'cultural turn' for disciplines other than cultural studies

The Practice of Cultural Studies will be an essential text for students of cultural studies and a useful guide to others studying culture in a range of disciplinary contexts across the humanities and social sciences.

Résumé
`This is a tour de force... It combines luminous discussion of the core conceptual issues of cultural studies, with a hard-headed, practical sense of how research in the field gets done. The result is a seriously smart, comprehensive survey of the whole terrain of cultural studies itself. This is a book on methods which readers will be able to make their own; and which -- uniquely in the genre -- will keep them buzzing' - Bill Schwarz, Queen Mary University of LondonThe Practice of Cultural Studies is an original introduction to the field. It offers a sophisticated &quote;how-to&quote; guide to doing research in cultural studies. From the difficulties of formulating a problem to the unique articulations of specific methodologies in cultural studies, students will find this book both useful and challenging - Professor Lawrence Grossberg, University of North CarolinaWhat is distinctive about cultural research? How does one do Cultural Studies? Unlike many other disciplines, cultural studies has not been explict about the nature of its practice. This book aims to redress the balance in favour of those who are studying culture by providing a comprehensive guide to researching and writing. Based on the methods course at Nottingham Trent and addressed to advanced undergraduates, Masters Level students and those just commencing a PhD, this book aims to provide an overview of specific research traditions in cultural studies, whilst also situating those traditions in their historical context.The Practice of Cultural Studies: Identifies the main methods of researching culture Demonstrates how theory can inform and enable the practice of research Explores the ways in which research practices and methods both produce and are produced by knowledge Looks at the implications of the cultural turn for disciplines other than cultural studiesThe Practice of Cultural Studies will be an essential text for students of cultural studies and a useful guide to others studying culture in a range of disciplinary contexts across the humanities and social sciences.

Contenu

SECTION I
Introduction
Cultural Studies and the Study of Culture
Disciplines and Dialogues
Multiplying Methods
From Pluralism to Combination
Method and the Researching Self
The Research Process: Moments and Strategies
SECTION II
Theory in the Practice of Research
Make Space! Spatial Dimensions in Cultural Research
Time Please! Historical Perspectives
Culture, Power and the Economic
SECTION III
Introduction
Reading Popular Narratives
From Structure to Context
Reading Texts of/for Dominance
Reading Fictions, Reading Histories
SECTION IV
Introduction Meetings
Researching Others
From Auto/Biography to Ethnography
Representing the Other
Interpretation and Cultural Readings
Integrating Methods: From Audiences to Subjectivities