Cultural Criticism : A Primer of Key Concepts

by Arthur Asa Berger

• ISBN13: 9780803957343
• ISBN10: 0803957343
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1994-11-14
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

In this guide to cultural criticism, Arthur Asa Berger presents complex concepts in jargon-free language, making the book an ideal introductory text. It covers the key theorists, concepts and subject areas, from literary, sociological and psychoanalytical theories of semiotics and Marxism. Berger brings cultural criticism to life by making these theories relevant to students' lives. Illustrating his explanations with excerpts from classic works, Berger gives readers a sense of the style of important thinkers and helps place them in context. There is an extensive bibliography which will be an invaluable resource for those who wish to explore the topics in greater depth.

Table of Contents

Series Editor's Introduction	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
An Introduction to Cultural Criticism	1	(10)
The Mission Impossible Dream	1	(1)
Cultural Criticism and Cultural Studies	2	(1)
On Technical Language	3	(1)
Making Complex Ideas Accessible	4	(2)
Thinkers Evolve and Change Their Ideas Over Time	6	(1)
A Useful Analogy	7	(4)
Literary Theory and Cultural Criticism	11	(30)
Mimesis and Other Theories of Literature	11	(4)
Texts	15	(2)
Genres and Texts	17	(1)
Interpretation of Texts	18	(2)
Hermeneutics	20	(2)
Reception Theory	22	(2)
Deconstruction	24	(2)
Postmodernism	26	(3)
Feminist Criticism	29	(2)
Phallocentric Theory	31	(1)
Formalism	32	(2)
Defamiliarization	34	(1)
Dialogical Theory	35	(2)
Montage and Meaning	37	(1)
Conclusion	38	(3)
Marxism and Cultural Criticism	41	(32)
Base/Superstructure	42	(1)
The Frankfurt School of Criticism	43	(3)
The Bourgeoisie	46	(1)
Class	47	(3)
Alienation	50	(1)
Commodity Fetishism	51	(2)
Consumer Culture	53	(4)
Interpellation	57	(1)
Ideology	58	(3)
Cultural Imperialism	61	(2)
Hegemony	63	(2)
Reproduction	65	(1)
Political Cultures	66	(3)
Conclusion	69	(4)
Semiotics and Cultural Criticism	73	(30)
Signs in Semiotics and Semiology	73	(2)
How Signs Function	75	(2)
Symbols in Saussure's System	77	(1)
Icon, Index, Symbol: Peirce's System	78	(1)
Images	79	(3)
Codes	82	(2)
Connotation	84	(1)
Denotation	85	(1)
Metaphor	86	(1)
Metonymy	87	(2)
Synchronic Analysis and Diachronic Analysis	89	(2)
Intertextuality	91	(2)
Auteur Theory	93	(1)
Syntagmatic Analysis	94	(1)
Paradigmatic Analysis	95	(2)
Structuralism	97	(3)
Conclusion	100	(3)
Psychoanalytic Theory and Cultural Criticism	103	(32)
The Unconscious	104	(2)
The Id	106	(1)
The Ego	106	(1)
The Superego	107	(1)
The Oedipus Complex	108	(3)
Condensation	111	(2)
Displacement	113	(3)
Narcissism	116	(3)
Sublimation	119	(1)
Overdetermination	120	(2)
Myth	122	(2)
Archetype	124	(2)
Heroes	126	(2)
Shadow	128	(1)
Anima/Animus	129	(2)
Conclusion	131	(4)
Sociological Theory and Cultural Criticism	135	(31)
Culture	135	(4)
Multiculturalism	139	(2)
DWEMs	141	(1)
Political Correctness	142	(2)
Anomie	144	(2)
Functionalism	146	(2)
Sacred/Profane	148	(2)
Mass Media Theory	150	(2)
Mass Society	152	(3)
Media/Medium	155	(2)
Audience	157	(2)
Stereotyping	159	(2)
Popular Culture	161	(2)
Everyday Life	163	(2)
Conclusion	165	(1)
Suggested Further Reading	166	(8)
References	174	(5)
Name Index	179	(4)
Subject Index	183	(11)
About the Author	194