The Aesthetics of Cultural Studies [Paperback]

The subject of the aesthetic has returned to cultural and literary debates with a vengeance. The Aesthetics of Cultural Studies is a timely and authoritative collection of essays that analyze the role of aesthetics in American and British cultural studies, and reflect on its recuperation in the field.

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• Contains first-rate, original essays that analyze the role of aesthetics in American and British cultural studies, and reflect on its recuperation in the field.
  
• Contributors are leading scholars, internationally based.
  
• Includes substantial introductory material by the editor.

Notes on Contributors.

Introduction: Engaging the Aesthetic (Michael Berube).

1 The Role of Aesthetics in Cultural Studies (Rita Felski).

2 On Literature in Cultural Studies (John Frow).

3 Excessive Practices: Aesthetics, Erotica, and Cultural Studies (Jane Juffer).

4 The Burden of Culture (Jonathan Sterne).

5 Cultural Studies and the Questions of Pleasure and Value (David Shumway).

6 I Give It a 94. It's Got a Good Beat and You Can Dance to It : Valuing Popular Music (David Sanjek).

7 Cultural Studies and the New Belletrism (Barry Faulk).

8 Beauty on My Mind: Reading Literature in an Age of Cultural Studies (Irene Kacandes).

9 Inventing Culture (Behind the Garage Door) (Steven Rubio).

10 The Cringe Factor (Laura Kipnis).

Index.

This book is a refreshing reminder that cultural studies of pleasure can (and should) be pleasurable. Interesting questions, engaging voices, rueful disagreements, startling juxtapositions of topic and concept. A book to make you laugh while thinkinlÍ