Books On Mass Communication And Mass Society
Sociologyindex, Sociology Books 2008
Mass
Media In A Mass Society: Myth and Reality (May 15, 2005)
Book by Richard Hoggart
In his latest book, Richard Hoggart looks at the ways in which mass communications in the
twenty-first century both encourage and hinder greater understanding of the modern world.
The author takes a number of aspects of mass society today - celebrity worship, youth
culture, broadcasting, and a decline in the proper use of language - and considers the
paradox that the ready accessibility of information of all types does not automatically
lead to greater comprehension of our world. A central focus of the book is an examination
of broadcasting as the prime disseminator of mass information. Information itself, he
claims, is inert and only leads to knowledge if it has been ordered and assessed. Also
examined thoroughly in this book are the slow, but uninterrupted dissolution of old
beliefs, in particular the widespread corruption of language, and the erosion of
traditional pillars of authority as a result of century and a half of sustained
intellectual criticism of existing assumptions and beliefs, especially in the religious
sphere.
Throughout the book, Hoggart examines broadcasting as the prime disseminator of mass
information. He makes an impassioned argument for Public Service Broadcasting in its
truest form, which he sees as coming increasingly under attack from today's BBS
broadcasters and a widening public who view entertainment as the primary vision of
television today.
Mass
Media, Social Control, and Social Change: A Macrosocial Perspective Book by David
Pearce Demers, K Viswanath, K. Viswanath, David Demers (Editors)
Many theories of mass communications deal with the issue of social control, but few are
conceived specifically as theories of social control.
Grasping
Things: Folk Material Culture And Mass Society In America (Dec. 30, 2004) Book by
Simon J. Bronner
From the acts of entering a suburban house to making headstones to consuming turtle soup,
Bronner wants the attentive reader to grasp the dynamics of the usually unexamined aspects
of our material world. "The title of this book speaks to the theme of objects having
physical and intellectual consequences." Folklore and American studies provide the
intellectual base for the author's incisive analysis. The illustrations are exceptionally
appropriate and provocative. The clarity of the style and arguments likewise should
increase the book's appeal. A social science book that makes good reading. David S.
Azzolina, Univ. of Pennsylvania Lib., Philadelphia
After the Death of Childhood: Growing Up in the Age of Electronic Media Book by David Buckingham
Mass
Society, Pluralism, and Bureaucracy: Explication, Assessment, and Commentary Book
by Richard F. Hamilton
Three major social theories--mass society, pluralism, and bureaucracy--are often employed
to interpret and explain modern societies. Although frequently invoked, the theories
themselves are poorly understood. This book seeks to clarify the background, context, and
major arguments of the theories, assess the claims and validity of each, provide expert
commentary, and suggest avenues for further work in each area. Drawing on work in the
humanities, history, sociology, economic history, and political science, Hamilton is able
to provide readers with a clear, concise, and accurate overview of the adequacy of these
theories as well as their empirical validity.
RICHARD F. HAMILTON, a specialist in political and historical sociology, is a Professor
Emeritus at The Ohio State University.
Media
and Society in Twentieth Century: An Historical Introduction
Book by Lyn Gorman, David McLean
Reviewer: "ingur_z" (The Hague, The Netherlands)
I read this book for my study (Media and Journalism). I really enjoyed it. It's accessibly
written for a change and gives a balanced view of how various media have developed in the
20th century. The authors take into account the various viewpoints -economic, social and
other- without going to much into details. This makes to book a good introduction, giving
its readers a clearcut overview of media developements in the past hundred years or so.
Anyone interested in this topic will not regret buying this book. The only flaw is its
complete exclusion of develpements in non-western countries. I for one would liked have
read some more on this topic.
Race,
Media, and the Crisis of Civil Society : From Watts to Rodney King (Cambridge Cultural
Social Studies) Book by Ronald N. Jacobs, Jeffrey C. Alexander (Series
Editor), Steven Seidman
"This compact work should appeal to those studying race, conflict, and the role of
media in society, particularly the different roles that 'big' and 'small' media may
play... The book provides valuable insights into the processes of journalistic and
societal framings of racial issues during the latter half of the twentieth century... In
total, the book makes a compelling argument for the black press as a unique voice, not a
substitute for participation in the mainstream media... Jacob's book brings us
face-to-face with questions that will color our view of our multicultural world for years
to come." Kimberly A. Neuendorf, Contemporary Sociology
Since the early nineteenth century, African-Americans have turned to Black newspapers to
monitor the mainstream media and to develop alternative interpretations of public events.
Ronald Jacobs tells the stories of these newspapers--in New York, Chicago and Los
Angeles--for the first time, comparing African-American and "mainstream" media
coverage of racial crises such as the Watts riot, the beating of Rodney King, the Los
Angeles uprisings and the O. J. Simpson trial. In an engaging yet scholarly style, Jacobs
shows us why a strong African-American press is still needed today.
Media
and Power (Communication and Society)
Book by James Curran
What kind of influence do the media have in society? Are they agencies of freedom and
control in social welfare democracies? Critical media studies is in a state of ferment.
Studies exposing class bias in the media have given way to a stress on the ambivalence and
inconsistency of media representations of the world. Above all, the questioning of the
totalizing themes of marxism has undermined many of the established terms of reference of
critical guide to the debates that are causing researchers to question old models of
understanding the media and to seek new ones. Using both case studies and overviews, James
Curran poses and answers a wealth of important questions about the role of the media,
dividing his discussion into three main areas - Media Influence, Media Organizations and
Media and Society.
Media Effects and Society (Lea's Communication Series) Book by Elizabeth M. Perse
Small
Town in Mass Society: Class, Power, and Religion in a Rural Community
Book by Michael W. Hughey (Foreword), Arthur J. Vidich (Afterword), Joseph
Bensman
Reviewer: Mark D. Grover (Maine USA)
Having lived in a number of small towns, I am continually amazed at the relevance of this
classic study to contemporary local politics and social relationships. Long before
"investigative reporting", a grad student goes undercover for a year in a small
town and reports his findings -- social groups, power, politics and tradition. This is not
a dry scientific analysis, but a fascinating description of American life outside the
city.
Folk
Material Culture And Mass Society In America
Media and Society in Twentieth Century
Mass Society Pluralism and Bureaucracy
Media Influence, Media Organizations and Mass Communication.