Theorising Media and Practice [Paperback]

Although practice theory has been a mainstay of social theory for nearly three decades, so far it has had very limited impact on media studies. This book draws on the work of practice theorists such as Wittgenstein, Foucault, Bourdieu, Barth and Schatzki and rethinks the study of media from the perspective of practice theory. Drawing on ethnographic case studies from places such as Zambia, India, Hong Kong, the United States, Britain, Norway and Denmark, the contributors address a number of important themes: media as practice; the interlinkage between media, culture and practice; the contextual study of media practices; and new practices of digital production. Collectively, these chapters make a strong case for the importance of theorising the relationship between media and practice and thereby adding practice theory as a new strand to the study of anthropology of media.

John Postillreceived his Ph.D. in anthropology from University College London. He is Senior Lecturer in Media at Sheffield Hallam University and the author ofMedia and Nation Building(Berghahn, 2006) andLocalizing the Internet(Berghahn, forthcoming). He has published widely on the anthropology of media and is the founder of the EASA Media Anthropology Network.

List of Figures
Preface

Introduction:Theorising Media and Practice
John Postill

PART I: MEDIA AS PRACTICE

Chapter 1.Theorising Media as Practice
Nick Couldry

Chapter 2.What Do We Mean by Media Practices?
Mark Hobart

Chapter 3.Media as Practice: A Brief Exchange
Nick CouldryandMark Hobart

PART II: MEDIA, CULTURE AND PRACTICE

Chapter 4.From Fan Practice to Mediated Moments: The Value of Practice Theory in the Understanding of Media Audiences
S. Elizabeth Bird