Subcultural Theory: Traditions and Concepts

by J. Patrick Williams

Subcultural phenomena continue to draw attention from many areas of contemporary society, including the news media, the marketing and fashion industries, concerned parents, religious, and other citizen groups, as well as academia. Research into these phenomena has spanned the humanities and social sciences and the subcultural theories that underlie this work are similarly interdisciplinary. Subcultural Theory brings these diverse analytic issues together in a single text, offering readers a concise discussion of the major concepts and debates that have developed over more than eighty years of subcultural research, including style, resistance, deviance, identity, space, and media.The text emphasizes methods, concepts and analysis rather than mere descriptions of individual subcultures, all the while ensuring readers will gain insight into past and present youthful subcultures, including mod, punk, hardcore, straightedge, messenger, goth, riot grrrl, hip?hop, skinhead, and extreme metal, among others. The book closes with an assessment of the subculture concept as a viable and useful sociological tool in comparison with other fields of study including social movements and fandom.

Genres: Nonfiction, Academic

224 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Casey Browne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subcultural Theory brings these diverse analytic issues together in a single text, offering readers a concise discussion of the major concepts and debates that have developed over more than eighty years of subcultural research, including style, resistance, deviance, identity, space, and media. I really enjoyed this book, especially because the culture is crucial to examine and learn about!
The text emphasizes methods, concepts and analysis rather than mere descriptions of individual subcultures, all the while ensuring readers will gain insight into past and present youthful subcultures, including mod, punk, hardcore, straightedge, messenger, goth, riot grrrl, hip hop, skinhead, and extreme metal, among others - this was especially interesting to learn about because it gave me a better insight into communities I wouldn't normally choose to learn about!