Understanding Bourdieu (Cultural Studies)

Pierre Bourdieu's work on the sociology of culture and language, on practical reason, on education, on citizenship and the cultures of poverty, and on a range of other topics is now coming to be seen as one of the 20th century's most important contributions to our thinking about the world. This is a comprehensive and lucid introduction to his work. Bourdieu has left his mark on most of the "big" theoretical issues in the world of contemporary theory - gender, subjectivity, the body, culture, citizenship, and globalisation - and his terms are now commonplace: "social capital", "cultural capital", "field", and "habitus". Bourdieu examines how people conduct their lives in relation to one another and to major social institutions. He argues that culture and education aren't simply minor influences, but as important as economics in determining differences between groups of people. Unlike the other grand systematisers Marx and Foucault, Bourdieu has tested these arguments in detailed fieldwork. His range is eclectic, his vision is vast, and his writing is often dense and challenging. This text aims to make his work accessible for those tackling him for the first time. Bourdieu's work is formidable-the journey is tough. Follow this French foreign legion-take an apple, take a hanky-but take this book.Peter Beilharz, Professor of Sociology, La Trobe UniversityPierre Bourdieu's work on the sociology of culture and language, on practical reason, on education, on citizenship and the cultures of poverty, and on a range of other topics is now coming to be seen as one of the 20th century's most important contributions to our thinking about the world. Understanding Bourdieu is a comprehensive and lucid introduction to his work. Measured and judicious, it's the best road map of this significant body of work currently available.John Frow, Regius Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature, University of EdinburghYou name it, Pierre Bourdieu has written about it. Now considered one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century, he has left his mark on most of the'big'theoretical issues in the world of contemporary theory: gender, subjectivity, the body, culture, citizenship, and globalisation. His terms are now commonplace:'social capital','cultural capital','field', and'habitus'.Bourdieu examines how people conduct their lives in relation to one another and to major social institutions. He argues that culture and education aren't simply minor influences, but as important as economics in determining differences between groups of people. Unlike the other grand systematisers Marx and Foucault, Bourdieu has tested these arguments in detailed fieldwork. His range is eclectic, his vision is vast, and his writing is often dense and challenging.Understanding Bourdieu offers a comprehensive introduction to Bourdieu's work. It is essential reading for anyone tackling him for the first time. "You name it, Pierre Bourdieu has written about it. Now considered one of the most influential thinkers of the twentieth century, he has left his mark on most of the 'big' theoretical issues in the world of contemporary theory: gender, subjectivity, the body, culture, citizenship and globalisation. His terms are now commonplace: 'social capital', 'cultural capital', 'field' and 'habitus'." "Bourdieu examines how people conduct their lives in relation to one another and to major social institutions. He argues that culture and education aren't simply minor influences, but as important as economics in determining differences between groups of people. Unlike the other grand systematisers Marx and Foucault, Bourdieu has tested these arguments in detailed fieldwork. His range is eclectic, his vision is vast and his writing is often dense and challenging." "Understanding Bourdieu offers a comprehensive introduction to Bourdieu's work. It is essential reading for anyone tackling him for the first time."--Jacket An Accessible Introduction To The Work Of The Leading French Social And Cultural Theorist, Pierre Bourdieu, Written By Three Respected Australian Academics. 1. Contexts And Approaches -- 2. Cultural Field And The Habitus -- 3. Theorising Practice -- 4. Bourdieau's Sociology -- 5. Government And Bureaucracy -- 6. Bourdieu And Secondary Schools -- 7. Bourdieu And Higher Education -- 8. The Field Of Cultural Production -- 9. Art And Artists -- 10. Journalism And Television. Jen Webb, Tony Schirato, And Geoff Danaher. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 199-204) And Index. You name it, Pierre Bourdieu has written about it. Now considered one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century, he has left his mark on most of the 'big' theoretical issues in the world of contemporary theory: gender, subjectivity, the body, culture, citizenship, and globalisation. His terms are now commonplace: 'social capital', 'cultural capital', 'field', and 'habitus'. Understanding Bourdieu offers a comprehensive introduction to Bourdieu's work. It is essential reading for anyone tackling him for the first time. Foreword; Contents; Acknowledgements; Glossary; 1 Contexts and approaches; 2 Cultural field and the habitus; 3 Theorising practice; 4 Bourdieu s sociology; 5 Government and bureaucracy; 6 Bourdieu and secondary schools; 7 Bourdieu and higher education; 8 The field of cultural production; 9 Art and artists; 10 Journalism and television; Bibliography; Index.