"Why is McLuhan important? What use can we make of his approach to the media today? In this critical introduction, McLuhan's contribution is explained and his reputation reassessed." (Publisher description)
"Jesús Martín-Barbero recoge en este libro lo esencial de sus aportes seminales al estudio de la comunicación en América Latina, profundizándolos y reelabórandolos con la visión prospectiva que le otorgan, por una parte, treinta años de investigación y trabajo académico y, por la otra, su
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convicción de que estamos todavía a tiempo para darle forma a una sociedad más humana, a condición de que sepamos reconocer los elementos de futuro presentes entre nosotros y que esperan ser reorientados en esa dirección. El texto ofrece una mirada diferente y enriquecedora sobre la comunicación, como uno de esos elementos de futuro cuya reorientación es imperiosa. Tanto la profundización de ese eje temático como los aportes del autor al estudio de las relaciones entre cultura de masas y cultura popular lo han convertido en un sujeto activo y singular del debate sobre la sociedad de la información, contribuyendo en forma destacada a la gestación y desarrollo de un pensamiento latinoamericano en la comunicación y la cultura." (Página web de Iniciativa de Comunicación)
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"[This book] puts basic skills of cultural analysis into the hands of ordinary persons, particularly those who gather with others guided by a religious tradition to worship God. These skills include: a rehtinking of the word culture itself; finding the usually anonymous names and faces behind any el
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ectronic communication; understanding how culture is produced; skill in decoding the iconic images we see and the metaphoric images by which we see; the ability to evaluate what we see and hear; new forms of personal and communal agency." (Back cover)
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"L'Afrique subsaharienne est un ensemble hétérogène, tant du point de vue culturel, historique que géographique. La place prise par les médias est récente, inégale et toujours liée à des influences extra-continentales. Parce qu'ils sont inséparables des sociétés dans lesquelles ils fonct
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ionnent, leur observation (surtout la radio, mieux africanisée) fournit un excellent indicateur du changement de ces sociétés, de leurs espoirs et de leurs illusions. L'auteur, spécialiste de la presse écrite et audiovisuelle, dresse un constat des transferts et des ruptures apportés par les médias en Afrique. Si ces modifications sont porteuses d'espérance et liées aux aspirations à mieux vivre, elles provoquent aussi des effets pervers : dépendance au niveau international et inégalités inter-étatiques. Les médias véhiculent donc autant d'espoirs que d'illusions et posent pour eux-mêmes comme pour les sociétés africaines le problème de la démocratie." (Description de la maison d'édition)
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"International Media Research offers a rigorous and critical review of key approaches and concerns that have recently defined the field of media research. In this clearly argued collection of essays, the contributors analyze and reflect upon dominant themes and debates that have made media research
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an increasingly important element of cultural theory. The volume begins with a critical evaluation of the work of the leading media scholar, Elihu Katz, and continues with an exploration of the relationship between media studies and adjacent disciplines: cultural studies and gender and sexuality. Contributors drawn from Britain, America, Canada and Belgium consider the relationships between media research and media policy in different national and international contexts. Focusing on the European Union, East-Central Europe, North America and Latin America, chapters assess the impact of social, economic and political circumstances on policy debates and the shaping of the research agenda. The final chapter adopts a transatlantic perspective in tracing and analysing the history of the media's role in reporting war." (Publisher description)
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"The growing connections between media, culture and religion are increasingly evident in contemporary society, but until now have rarely been theoretically linked. The contributors to this volume effectively combine these areas into a coherent whole. The issues they examine include: the decline of r
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eligious institutions during the late twentieth century; the increasing autonomy and individualized practice of religion; and the surge of media and media-based icons that are often imbued with religious qualities, and the ensuing effect on cultural practices." (Publisher description)
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"Based on literature research and personal experiences gained in Africa, this book pays attention to the cultural and educational aspects of communication for development in developing countries. The book addresses the many pitfalls of communication and the factors that have an influence on the effe
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ctiveness of communication. The first part of the book provides an overview of the changes of development strategies in the last few decades and describes the practice of communication for development in the field. The second part of the book discusses the intricate link between communication and culture and the way it influences the practice of interpersonal and mediated communication. Part three deals with media and their educational potential. The fourth part of the book pays attention to the steps involved in the planning and implementation/production of communication events, programs, and materials. The fourth part of the book pays special attention to the importance of pre-testing, monitoring, and evaluation in this process. A 25-item dictionary of concepts and a bibliography containing about 200 items are attached." (ERIC)
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