Material Culture Critical Concepts in the Social Sciences

Material culture is the study of material products of human manufacturing processes, or 'the history of things'. Since material culture studies re-emerged within Anglo-American archaeology and anthropology in the late 1960s, this field of study has spread to a variety of other disciplines including cultural studies, history, literary studies, semiotics, consumer studies, market research, museum studies, linguistics, design and art history, to name but a few.This five-volume set brings together key nineteenth and twentieth century texts along with the most significant publications from the past forty years to create an accessible and comprehensive survey of the field.Each volume includes a new introduction by the editor, placing the articles selected within their intellectual and historical context and the set is completed with a thorough index.Forthcoming titles in this series include Cultural Geography (September 2004, 4 volumes, £495) and Economic Geography (2004, 5 volumes, £625).

Volume 1: History and Scope of Material Culture StudiesIncluding key nineteenth and twentieth century textsVolume 2: The Return of Material Culture StudiesGathers the most significant texts from within and outside anthropology and archaeology during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.Volume 3: The Expansion of Material Culture StudiesRepresents the expansion, during the 1980s and 1990s into other disciplines and linguistic traditions, namely cultural studies, cultural history, design and art history, consumption studies, semiotics and literary studies.Volume 4: The Future of Material Culture StudiesIdentifies fruitful research problems and general directions for the interdisciplinary study of material culture.