"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.

ArticulationAudienceBroadcastingCapitalismCommunication(s)ConvergenceCriticism/CritiqueCultural FormCultureCulture IndustryCybercultureDeconstructionDigitalDiscourseEmbodimentEncoding/DecodingFreedom of CommunicationGenreGlobalizationHegemonyIdeologyIdentityImageInfluenceInformation SocietyInteractivityMassMedia EffectsMedia/MediumMobile PrivatizationModernMoral PanicNetwork (Society)News ValuesPopular/PopulistPostmodernismPublic SphereRegulationRitualSignSimulacraTabloidizationTechnocultureTechnological DeterminismTime/Space Compression