Media, Culture & Society

Sociology: A Very Short Introduction

Second Edition

Steve Bruce

9780198822967
Paperback
27 September 2018

Very Short Introductions

From politics to education, work, crime, and religion this Very Short Introduction discusses some of the core considerations of contemporary sociologists. Exploring the tension between the individual's place in society and society's role in shaping the individual, it demonstrates the value of sociology for understanding the modern world.

The History of Cinema: A Very Short Introduction

Geoffrey Nowell-Smith

9780198701774
Paperback
23 November 2017

Very Short Introductions

In this Very Short Introduction Geoffrey Nowell-Smith defines the field of cinema, and explores its fascinating history within the cultural and aesthetic sphere. Considering the influences of the other art forms from which it arose, he looks at how technological advances have opened up new horizons for the cinema industry.

The Future: A Very Short Introduction

Jennifer M. Gidley

9780198735281
Paperback
23 March 2017

Very Short Introductions

Can we ever truly influence, predict, and direct our own futures? Are there multiple futures or only one awaiting us? Jennifer Gidley explains our innate fascination with the unknown future, and considers the role of the human consciousness in embracing multiple future possibilities, and creating a world of our choices.

Home: A Very Short Introduction

Michael Allen Fox

9780198747239
Paperback
08 December 2016

Very Short Introductions

Ideas of home play a prominent role in the way people of all cultures frame an understanding of their lives. This Very Short Introduction considers the enduring concept of home in our modern world, as international and local migration, homelessness, and uprootedness threaten to destabilize our traditional notions of place and belonging.

Modern Italy: A Very Short Introduction

Anna Cento Bull

9780198726517
Paperback
27 October 2016

Very Short Introductions

This Very Short Introduction considers the history of Italy from the Risorgimento (the movement leading to Italian Unification in 1861) to the present. It also discusses Italy's political system and style of government; economic modernisation; emigration, internal migration and immigration; and the modern Italian culture and lifestyle.

Sport: A Very Short Introduction

Mike Cronin

9780199688340
Paperback
27 November 2014

Very Short Introductions

Sport is one of the largest industries in the world and the global reach of major sporting events is enormous. In this Very Short Introduction, Mike Cronin explores the historical development of sport. Exploring a variety of activities from rugby and cricket to tennis, athletics, and skiing, he considers the central role it plays in modern society.

Languages: A Very Short Introduction

Stephen Anderson

9780199590599
Paperback
28 June 2012

Very Short Introductions

How many languages are there? What differentiates one language from another? Are new languages still being discovered? Why are so many languages disappearing? These are some of the questions considered in this Very Short Introduction. By examining the science of languages, we find that the answers are not as simple as we might expect.

Utopianism: A Very Short Introduction

Lyman Tower Sargent

9780199573400
Paperback
23 September 2010

Very Short Introductions

There are many debates about utopia - What constitutes a utopia? Are utopias benign or dangerous? The idea of utopia has become commonplace in social and political thought, both negatively and positively. This Very Short Introduction explores utopianism, its history, and its role in modern debates.

Information: A Very Short Introduction

Luciano Floridi

9780199551378
Paperback
25 February 2010

Very Short Introductions

Luciano Floridi unpacks this fundamental concept - what information is, how it is measured, its value and meaning - cutting across the sciences and humanities, from DNA to the Internet, and the ethical issues related to privacy, copyright, and accessibility.

Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction

John Monaghan, Peter Just

9780192853462
Paperback
24 February 2000

Very Short Introductions