Visual culture has become one of the most dynamic fields of scholarship; a reflection of how the study of human culture increasingly requires distinctively visual ways of thinking and methods of analysis. Bringing together leading international scholars to assess all aspects of visual culture; the Handbook aims to provide a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the subject.The Handbook embraces the extraordinary range of disciplines which now engage in the study of the visual - film and photography; television; fashion; visual arts; digital media; geography; philosophy; architecture; material culture; sociology; cultural studies and art history. Throughout; the Handbook is responsive to the cross-disciplinary nature of many of the key questions raised in visual culture around digitization; globalization; cyberculture; surveillance; spectacle; and the role of art.The Handbook guides readers new to the area; as well as experienced researchers; into the topics; issues and questions that have emerged in the study of visual culture since the start of the new millennium; conveying the boldness; excitement and vitality of the subject.
#969665 in eBooks 2013-06-01 2013-06-01File Name: B00HU4ZT1Y
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The World in Six Songs; by Daniel LevitinBy A2900This is an enjoyable; very interesting and thought-provoking book by someone who knows music from both the commercial/industry and scientific sides. Levitin advances a number of ideas; based largely on science; but which really amount to conjecture -- he doesnt posit them; but he repeats them often enough that it is clear that he really believes them. I found a number of these ideas to be plausible but not necessarily convincing. This is not a criticism; but rather to say that I have other ideas and/or am not so sure that his conjectures are right. Indeed; some of these ideas seem downright simplistic.More of a criticism -- though this may be a criticism of me; not Levitin -- is that he extensively makes references to contemporary popular music and musicians to give examples of what he is writing. Being raised on classical music; I found most of these examples useless.I havent read it; but; from what I have heard; another of Levitins books; "This Is Your Brain on Music;" sounds like a better and more scientifically based book. I intend to read it next.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Not much of a sequalBy CustomerI loved Levitins first book "This is Your Brain on Music". The "name-dropper" claim from some reviewers was unfair; because scientists instinctively cite every idea that was not original to them (I would know; I am one). Levitin clearly loves his new career and wants to share his enthusiasm with a wider audience.However; this book is thin on content and full of annoyances that most readers will catch. For example; he waxes nostalgically about the anti-Viet Nam War music and how it influenced political life in the Sixties and later. However; Levitin was still playing with toys in the Sixties! His views of the impact of music on the Viet Nam War are second-hand sentimentality.He also tries to comment on religion without being offensive. He suggests religion was displaced by technology and then quickly changes topic. I am sure most of his colleagues believe that; but they need to get out more.Most of all; you realize quickly that very few people had much input when he researched this book. He quotes Sting constantly; probably because Sting was one of the few people that agreed to be interviewed.I do not want to trash the book completely. His idea that music influenced brain development in Homo sapiens is original and clever. There will probably prove to be some truth to it; but clearly the cart is (at least partially) in front of the horse.It is still a thoughtful and entertaining book; but it pales in comparison to Levitins first book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy WILLIAM E. CARNESgreat for music lovers
