Key Concepts in Media and Communications

A sprightly critical and intelligent guided tour around the mansion of media and communications/cultural research... enormously useful for students and researchers. - James Curran Goldsmiths University of London A highly comprehensive guide to core concepts in media theory and criticism. - Andrew Goodwin University of San Francisco A great resource for new under-grads and something I urge my students to buy and use as a hand first ′port of call′ throughout their studies. - Paul Smith De Montfort University This book covers the key concepts central to understanding recent developments in media and communications studies. Wide-ranging in scope and accessible in style it sets out a useful clear map of the important theories methods and debates. The entries critically explore the limits of a key concept as much as the traditions that define it. They include clear definitions are introduced within the wider context of the field and each one: is fully cross-referencedis appropriately illustrated with examples tables and diagramsprovides a guide to further reading. This book is an essential resource for students of media and communications across sociology cultural studies creative industries and of course media and communications courses.