Wiley-Blackwell Making Sense of Media: Key Texts in Media and Cultural Studies

Making Sense of Media is a lively and accessible text that helps readers understand mass media and the texts they carry. Designed expressly for those interested in gaining a solid understanding of the media and how they work, it is an indispensable book. Offers a lively, accessible, and concise textbook to help readers understand mass media and their textsCovers seminal figures, concepts and scholarship in mass media studies, including Vladimir Propp, Mikhail Bakhtin, Raymond Williams, Fredric Jameson, and Stuart HallExplores the ideas found in nineteen significant books that will provide useful insights and concepts for anyone interested in the study of the mediaFeatures chapter-by-chapter short articles by the author, that address an idea or theory in the particular book being discussedIncludes charts, boxes features, exercises, and illustrations to round out analyses and engage the beginning student Review “Arthur Asa Berger has taken a refreshingly creative approach to introducing ideas central to analyses of media and popular culture. This delightful book will not only enliven courses in media studies, but also prime students to read more of the seminal texts defining one of the most vibrant areas of the communication field.” William H. Dutton, University of Oxford “Reading this book is like going through a museum with a master critic and collector. Berger’s compelling and witty essay opens the door to great thinkers and scholars, some from the distant past, some quite contemporary. There is no other book with a broader perspective that truly makes its readers stretch, though the process is always enjoyable.” Everette E. Dennis, Fordham University From the Inside Flap Making Sense of Media is an accessible introduction that helps readers understand the mass media and its texts. Written for the beginning student in media studies who wishes to become acquainted with the ideas of some of the seminal figures in this increasingly important field, this lively volume provides useful insights into nineteen significant books. It covers seminal figures, concepts and scholarship in mass media studies, including Vladimir Propp, Mikhail Bakhtin, Raymond Williams, Fredric Jameson, bell hooks, and Stuart Hall. Designed expressly for those interested in gaining a solid understanding of the media and how they work, Making Sense of Media is an indispensable book. From the Back Cover Making Sense of Media is an accessible introduction that helps readers understand the mass media and its texts. Written for the beginning student in media studies who wishes to become acquainted with the ideas of some of the seminal figures in this increasingly important field, this lively volume provides useful insights into nineteen significant books. It covers seminal figures, concepts and scholarship in mass media studies, including Vladimir Propp, Mikhail Bakhtin, Raymond Williams, Fredric Jameson, bell hooks, and Stuart Hall. Designed expressly for those interested in gaining a solid understanding of the media and how they work, Making Sense of Media is an indispensable book. About the Author Arthur Asa Berger is Professor Emeritus in the Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Department at San Francisco State University. His many publications include: Signs in Contemporary Culture (1984; 2nd edn., 1998); Seeing is Believing: An Introduction to Visual Communication (1989; 2nd edn., 1998); Media Analysis Techniques (1992; 3rd edn., 2004); Essentials of Mass Communication Theory (1995); Narratives in Popular Culture, Media and Everyday Life (1997); and Media and Communication Research Methods (2000).