A Dictionary of Critical Theory

by Ian Buchanan

Containing over 750 in-depth entries, this is the most wide-ranging and up-to-date dictionary of critical theory available. This authoritative guide covers the whole range of critical theory, including the Frankfurt school, cultural materialism, cultural studies, gender studies, film studies, literary theory, hermeneutics, historical materialism, and socio-political critical theory. Entries clearly explain complex theoretical discourses such as Marxism, psychoanalysis, structuralism, deconstruction, and postmodernism. There are biographies of hundreds of important figures in the field, with feature entries for those who have heavily influenced areas of the discipline, such as Derrida and Deleuze.

This new edition of the dictionary has been updated to extend coverage of diaspora, race and postcolonial theory, including key authors such as C. L. R. James and Paul Gilroy, and of queer and sexuality studies, including notable figures such as Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick. Fully revised to keep up to date with this diverse field, this new edition expands the coverage to include entries such as hyperobject and transgender.

Entries are fully cross-referenced and many contain further reading suggestions.

Covering all aspects of critical theory from globalization and race studies, to queer theory and feminism, this multidisciplinary A-Z is essential for students in the humanities and social sciences.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Reference, Dictionaries, Theory, Classics

528 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2010

About the author

Born in rural Western Australia, Buchanan grew up in the suburbs of Perth. He did his BA and PhD in the English and Comparative Literature program at Murdoch University, graduating in 1995. His PhD dissertation, entitled, "Heterology: Towards a Transcendental Empiricist Approach to Cultural Studies" attempted to fuse the work of de Certeau and Deleuze for the purposes of doing cultural analysis

Reviews

[Amy]

Idk this shouldn’t count as a book I’ve read but it’s so useful for anyone starting to do critical theory I’m adding it anyway

[Craig Langon · Rating 1 out of 5]

For me, this is a poor cousin to the Penguin Critical Theory Dictionary version. It's less concise and has inaccurate definitions which are sometimes overly complex or don't give a true definition, i.e. "Body without organs"

[Farzaneh · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have been using this book nonstop for almost a year for all my research, not only provides fascinating accessible entries to a wide range of concepts, thinkers and ideas but more importantly each entry includes further reading suggestions. I have also recommended the book to many university students at all levels. highly recommended.

[Ajith. T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book for reference.

[AYAH · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one in conjunction with The Penguin Dictionary of Critical Theory I think I enjoyed this one more despite my aversion to intellectual nonsense!