Description
Unravelling Horkheimer and Adorno's complex prose, Steinert sets out to explain precisely what is meant by the term 'culture industry'. Writing in a clear and engaging style, he provides an accessible exposition of the key themes and concepts. This close textual analysis is combined with wide-ranging case studies showing how the concept of culture industry can be used to approach more recent cultural phenomena. Examining contemporary film, pop music and art, as well as dating agencies and the paparazzi, Steinert reveals the ways in which culture is commodified today.
This is an original book that provides a fresh critical perspective on culture and the media. It will be essential reading for students of media and cultural studies, sociology and of the humanities in general.
About the Author
Heinz Steinert is Professor of Sociology at the Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University, Frankfurt and Foundation Director of the Institute for the Sociology of Law and Criminology, Vienna.
Reviews
"Adorno and Horkheimer's analysis of the cultural industry remains an important model for understanding contemporary media culture. Heinz Steinert provides an excellent presentation of Adorno and Horkheimer's perspectives on media culture and useful instructions on how to read their text and the products of culture industry, helping to enable his readers to become cultural critics of contemporary culture and theoretical discourse."
--Douglas Kellner, University of California at Los Angeles
"Understanding "culture industry" is central to both critical theory and contemporary public life. Heinz Steinert's account is both the best introduction to the subject and an important update for a new era. It should be read widely."
--Craig Calhoun, New York University
Book Information
ISBN 9780745626772
Author Heinz Steinert
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Polity Press
Publisher John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Weight(grams) 336g
Dimensions(mm) 231mm * 154mm * 18mm
