Comparing Cultural Studies
With a lot of obvious overlap between definitions, it was very interesting to read the development of Cultural Studies between the time, place, and people who studied culture. I love the acknowledgement in both pieces when they talk about how its hard to even describe what Cultural Studies is because there is always the idea of what it can and has the potential to be. “Culture” has a history in what it refers to. In Culture Studies: An Introduction, the authors talk about the evolution of the definition of culture itself. Some thought it was something only those in upper class society could “participate” in or that it can really only be experienced through what is tangible to the senses but it continued to grow and expand to where it is today, encompassing “the actual, grounded terrain, practices, representations, languages, and customs of any historical society…” (Grossberg, L., Nelson, C., & Treichler, P.A. (1992), pg. 5)
Diving into the differences Cultural Studies and Internationalizing Cultural Studies, a major distinction between the two (as seen in Internationalizing Cultural Studies) is the recognition of colonial thought and having to decolonize the way Cultural Studies is approached when it comes to studying other cultures in general. A lot of the work that is interpreted and written comes from a more western idea of what is considered culture and how it is considered culture. It also mentions that there needs to be an acknowledgement that if you are looking at another culture (country) that you know that its seen in a “critical internationalist framework” and used in a way that it is another perspective rather than a solution to a problem. (Abbas, A. et al. (2005), pg. 2) Scholars in Cultural Studies want to expand the meaning of the study and use it as a way to critically look and analyze various aspects of different groups. The general introduction of Internationalizing Cultural Studies spoke of the benefits of going back and reevaluating various societies using this new international lens to see what was missed before because of the change of what was thought to be culture as well as reframe the interpretations of culture already documented. (Abbas, A. et al. (2005), pg. 5)
It goes on to talk about the benefits of these alternative reference points, giving a list that ranges from critiquing western hegemony and its version of modernity to alternative voices that could be heard that were possibly once ignored. It recognizes the power dynamics of being the one who is studying verses the one who is studied. Rather than the dynamic being there and being normalized it becomes two people talking to each other.
In Cultural Studies: An Introduction, there is a lot on how interwoven politics and Cultural Studies really is. It admittedly said that one can not really define Cultural Studies because it does not have the history or schools of thought like other areas of academics. It takes from all things. Its forever changing and reevaluating itself in order to continue to make the impacts it deems necessary. “Cultural Studies thus believes that its practice does matter, that its own intellectual work is supposed to-can-make a difference.” (Grossberg, L., Nelson, C., & Treichler, P.A. (1992), pg.6) Its not research just to learn but work that is supposed to make a change. Its betterment of society and not just one’s field of study. Events are always changing how people see the world and its those events that change culture. Different methodologies are used as the research sees fit.
In the introduction chapter, common misconceptions are mentioned. An example of this is that many people think that Cultural Studies only researches Popular Culture when in fact Cultural Studies also looks at all aspects of what is deemed culture. The chapter mentions “culture” simultaneously invokes symbolic and material domains and that it is not privileging one domain over the other but interrogating the relations of the two.” (Grossberg, L., Nelson, C., & Treichler, P.A. (1992), pg. 4)
Its just as hard to define Cultural Studies as it is to define Culture. To different disciplines, they mean different things and with that we go down various rabbit holes based on who is doing the studying, who is being studied and where its happening. Based on the readings, the framework and lens you are using to conduct your study really matter and you have to be self aware and reflective of your own thoughts and why you are even thinking the way you do. Sometimes the questions asked don’t event have clear answers but instead leads you to another questions you didn’t even know how to ask.
Its hard to even say what Cultural Studies should do. Expand knowledge of different people, places, and/or things? Solve societal issues plaguing minoritized groups? I guess there isn’t really a wrong answer because you can do all of them. Like mentioned before, Cultural Studies is flexible and interdisciplinary, just like the methodologies and theories used to understand certain events that took place at certain times. The goal could be just to learn without disrupting the narrative that was created but I do think there is more to it than just that.
Works Cited
Abbas, A. et al. (2005). Preface: How to use this book AND General Introduction. In A. Abbas et al. Internationalizing cultural studies: an anthology. Blackwell Publishing. MA, Ox, Victoria. xxv-xxvii &1-12
Grossberg, L., Nelson, C., & Treichler, P.A. (1992). Cultural studies: an Introduction. In L. Grossberg, C. Nelson, & P.A. Treichler, Cultural studies. NY: Routledge.