A Dictionary of Postmodernism [Paperback]

A Dictionary of Postmodernism presents an authoritative A-Z of the critical terms and central figures related to the origins and evolution of postmodernist theory and culture.

• Explores the names and ideas that have come to define the postmodern condition – from Baudrillard, Jameson, and Lyotard, to the concepts of deconstruction, meta-narrative, and simulation – alongside less canonical topics such as dialogue and punk
• Includes essays by the late Niall Lucy, a leading expert in postmodernism studies, and by other noted scholars who came together to complete and expand upon his last work
• Spans a kaleidoscope of postmodernism perspectives, addressing its lovers and haters; its movers and shakers such as Derrida; its origins in modernism and semiotics, and its outlook for the future
• Features a series of brief essays rather than fixed definitions of the key ideas and arguments
• Engaging and thought-provoking, this is at once a scholarly guide and enduring reference for the field

Preface x

Note on contributors xiii

Description xiv

Introduction 1

Dictionary

Barthes, Roland (Tony Thwaites) 3

Baudrillard, Jean (Niall Lucy) 7

Cultural studies (John Hartley) 12

Culture (Niall Lucy) 19

Deconstruction (Claire Colebrook) 27

Deleuze, Gilles and Guattari, Felix (Claire Colebrook) 30

Derrida, Jacques (Tony Thwaites) 34

Dialogue (John Hartley) 39

Differend (Niall Lucy) 44

Discourse (Robert Briggs) 52

Eco, Umberto (John Hartley) 56

Essence (Robert Briggs) 62

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