The Cambridge Companion to Modern British Culture [Paperback]

A lively and informative set of perspectives on the key themes that shape modern Britain.This informative account of modern British culture embraces controversy and debate, and never loses sight of the fact that Britain and Britishness must always be understood in relation to the increasingly international context of globalisation.This informative account of modern British culture embraces controversy and debate, and never loses sight of the fact that Britain and Britishness must always be understood in relation to the increasingly international context of globalisation.British culture today is the product of a shifting combination of tradition and experimentation, national identity and regional and ethnic diversity. These distinctive tensions are expressed in a range of cultural arenas, such as art, sport, journalism, fashion, education, and race. This Companion addresses these and other major aspects of British culture, and offers a sophisticated understanding of what it means to study and think about the diverse cultural landscapes of contemporary Britain. Each contributor looks at the language through which culture is formed and expressed, the political and institutional trends that shape culture, and at the role of culture in daily life. This interesting and informative account of modern British culture embraces controversy and debate, and never loses sight of the fact that Britain and Britishness must always be understood in relation to the increasingly international context of globalisation.Chronology; Introduction: modern British culture Michael Higgins, Clarissa Smith and John Storey; 1. Becoming British John Storey; 2. Language developments in British English David Crystal; 3. Schooling and culture Ken Jones; 4. The changing character of political communication John Street; 5. Contemporary Britain and its regions John Tomaney; 6. Contemporary British cinema Sarah Street; 7. Contemporary British fiction Patricia Waugh; 8. Contemporary British poetry Alex Golã)