John Hartley 
A Short History of Cultural Studies 

`
A Short Histrory of Cultural Studies will prove a seminal text for its author′s erudition, wit and unmatched ability to re-embed abstract concepts and debates where they belong – in rich historical, political and cultural contexts′ –
Cultural Studies Review

′Hartley′s book is refreshing, breathtaking, and quite a lot of fun. Given its relatively small size, the book can′t do everything, but it does introduce the reader to this rich area of contemporary academic life′ – Communication Research Trends

′An entertaining and innovative approach to the history of cultural studies′ – TOPIA: Canadian Journal of Cultural Studies

`Cultural studies will never be the same again. Whether you′re new to the field or a tired old jade, John Hartley′s latest will have you sitting bolt upright in your seat. Each chapter is brimming with insight and innovation. A landmark book′ – Toby Miller Professor of Cultural Studies and Cultural Policy, New York University

A Short History of Cultural Studies will be devoured by students by virtue of its uncluttered and often wickedly humorous style. But it will also concentrate the minds of those who lecture and research in the subject, by offering a novel and challenging account of the rise and temper of the subject today.

This is the first history of cultural studies. Other books have explored the British and North American traditions, but this is the first guide to the ideas, purposes and controversies that have shaped the subject. The author sheds new light on neglected pioneers and a clear route map through the terrain. He provides lively critical narratives on a dazzling array of key figures including, Arnold, Barrell, Bennett, Carey, Fiske, Foucault, Grossberg, Hall, Hawkes, hooks, Hoggart, Leadbeater, Lissistzky, Malevich, Marx, Mc Luhan, Mc Robbie, D Miller, T Miller, Morris, Quiller-Couch, Ross, Shaw, Urry, Williams, Wilson, Wolfe and Woolf. He also examines a host of central themes in the subject including literary and political writing, publishing, civic humanism, political economy and Marxism, sociology, feminism, anthropology and the pedagogy of cultural studies.

Table of Content

Introduction – A Philosophy of Plenty

A New Endeavour?

The Intelligent Co-Ed′s Guide to Cultural Studies

From Virginia Woolf to Tom Wolfe (destination O′Hare)

Culture from Arnold to Schwarzenegger

Imperial Literacy to Pop Culture (destination democracy?)

`Beating the Whites with the Red Wedge′

From Public Service to Dinner Service (Destination Kate Moss)

Waiting for the Kettle to Boil

Culture and Consciousness (Destination Celebration)

The Ordinary as a Sign of Itself

Culture and Everyday Life (Travel, Shopping, Walking, Eating)

Reading the Readers

From Marx to Market (Desperately Seeking Adoption)

About the author

John Hartley, AM (Order of Australia), is John Curtin Distinguished Professor at Curtin University Australia, and Professor of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies at Cardiff University Wales. Recent books include: Cultural Science: A Natural History of Stories, Demes, Knowledge and Innovation (with Jason Potts, Bloomsbury, 2014); Key Concepts in Creative Industries (co-authored, SAGE, 2013); A Companion to New Media Dynamics (co-edited, Wiley-Blackwell, 2013); and Digital Futures for Cultural and Media Studies (Wiley-Blackwell, 2012). He is editor of the International Journal of Cultural Studies (SAGE) and publisher of Cultural Science Journal (online). He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities and the International Communication Association, Honorary Professor of Zhejiang University of Media and Communications (Hangzhou), and Guest Researcher, Institute for Cultural Industries, Shenzhen University, China.