This book brings the emergent interest in social class and inequality to the field of television studies. It reveals how the new visibility of class matters in serial television functions aesthetically and examines the cultural class politics articulated in these programmes. This ground-breaking volume argues that reality and quality TV’s intricate politics of class entices viewers not only to grapple with previously invisible socio-economic realities but also to reconsider their class alignment. The stereotypical ways of framing class are now supplemented by those dedicated to exposing the economic and socio-psychological burdens of the (lower) middle class. The case studies in this book demonstrate how sophisticated narrative techniques coincide with equally complex ways of exposing class divisions in contemporary American life and how the examined shows disrupt the hegemonic order of class. The volume therefore also invites a rethinking of conventional models of social stratification.

The Glory is a historical drama series that centers around the life and times of Catherine the Great, a renowned Empress who ruled the Russian Empire from 1762 until her death in 1796. The series explores Catherine’s rise to power, as well as her love life, controversies, and political conflicts that shaped her reign. The show is set in the 18th century, a time of political turmoil, social upheaval, and cultural transformation that led to the Enlightenment. The Glory features a star-studded cast, with Australian actress Elle Fanning playing the lead role of Catherine. Other notable cast members include Nicholas Hoult, who portrays Peter III, Catherine’s husband and predecessor, and Phoebe Fox, who plays Marial, Catherine’s loyal maid and confidante. The series is produced by MediaRes and Echo Lake Entertainment, and was created by Tony McNamara, who also wrote the script for the Oscar-winning film The Favourite. The show has been praised for its production quality, strong performances, and attention to historical accuracy. The Glory premiered on May 15, 2021, on Hulu, and has since gained a large following and critical acclaim.

This book analyzes the discourse generated by pundits, politicians, and artists to examine how poverty and the income gap is framed through specific modes of representation. Set against the dichotomy of the structural narrative of poverty and the opportunity narrative, Lemke's modified concept of precarity reveals new insights into the American situation as well as into the textuality of contemporary demands for equity. Her acute study of a vast range of artistic and journalistic texts brings attention to a mode of representation that is itself precarious, both in the modern and etymological sense, denoting both insecurity and entreaty. With the keen eye of a cultural studies scholar her innovative book makes a necessary contribution to academic and popular critiques of the social effects of neoliberal capitalism.

Now Published by SAGE! In Exploring Inequality: A Sociological Approach, author Jenny M. Stuber examines the socially constructed nature of our identities, the processes by which we acquire them, prejudice and privilege, and the unequal outcomes they produce within institutions. By employing both micro-level and macro-level perspectives, as well as integrating intersectional analysis in every chapter, this text provides a solid and effective framework for understanding social diversity and inequality. The updated Second Edition features a strong introductory chapter reviewing key theories and concepts, real-world examples, social problems and their solutions, and better visuals to help students gain a comprehensive understanding of social inequality. Included with this text The online resources for your text are available via the password-protected Instructor Resource Site.

This book examines what literature and film reveal about the urban USA. Subjects include culture, class, race, crime, and disaster.

"This is one of the best books I've read on the changing relationship of television to society. It provides a very good analysis of theoretical perspectives on television and makes excellent use of critical theory. An accessible book that at the same time challenges the reader to think more deeply about the role of television in a formally democratic society. —Vincent Mosco Carleton University In this pathbreaking study, Douglas Kellner offers the most systematic, critically informed political and institutional study of television yet published in the United States. Focusing on the relationships among television, the state, and business, he traces the history of television broadcasting, emphasizing its socioeconomic impact and its growing political power. Throughout, Kellner evaluates the contradictory influence of television, a medium that has clearly served the interests of the powerful but has also dramatized conflicts within society and has on occasion led to valuable social criticism.

From Havana to Hollywood examines the presence or absence of Black resistance to slavery in feature films produced in either Havana or Hollywood—including Gillo Pontecorvo's Burn!, neglected masterpieces by Cuban auteurs Tomás Gutiérrez Alea and Sergio Giral, and Steve McQueen's Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave. Philip Kaisary argues that, with rare exceptions, the representation of Black agency in Hollywood has always been, and remains, taboo. Contrastingly, Cuban cinema foregrounds Black agency, challenging the ways in which slavery has been misremembered and misunderstood in North America and Europe. With powerful, richly theorized readings, the book shows how Cuban cinema especially recreates the past to fuel visions of liberation and asks how the medium of film might contribute to a renewal of emancipatory politics today.

Scheitern ist in Mode: Immer offener wird in den USA über den Konkurs der eigenen Firma und (überwundene) Lebenskrisen gesprochen. Auch in der Wissenschaft hat das Thema Konjunktur. Dieser Band untersucht das individuelle Scheitern interdisziplinär. Was verstehen wir unter einem "gescheiterten Individuum ", welche sozioökonomischen und technologischen Faktoren tragen dazu bei? Wie wird das Scheitern kulturell verhandelt, und inwiefern kann man es als Widerstand gegen gesellschaftliche Normen umdeuten?

Shadow and Bone is a fantasy television series that is based on Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novel of the same name. The show is developed by Eric Heisser and is produced by Shawn Levy and Dan Levine. The series premiered on Netflix on April 23, 2021. The series takes place in a world that has been torn apart by monstrous creatures that dwell in the Shadow Fold, which is an impenetrable darkness that has cut off a part of the kingdom of Ravka. The story follows a young soldier named Alina Starkov, who discovers she has unique magical powers that could be the key to saving her country. She discovers she is a Sun Summoner, which gives her the ability to summon and control light. Along with her best friend, Mal, she sets out to hone her powers and fight against the darkness that is threatening her kingdom. However, Alina soon finds herself in the middle of a political power struggle between the Grisha, a group of magical elites, and the Ravkan royalty who fear and distrust them.

Contemporary Television Series: Narrative Structures and Audience Perception proposes an interdisciplinary and multicultural approach of old concepts like fiction, reality and narrativity applied to actual worldwide television series. The authors that have contributed to this volume analyze the almost invisible barriers between fiction and reality in television series from different perspectives. The results of their studies are extremely interesting and revealing. The new perspectives offered by this volume will be of great interest to any scholar of European and international studies, because they bring to light new ideas, new methodologies and results that could be further developed. This volume allows readers to explore these unique insights, even if they are not senior researchers, and to easily digest the content, and also to acknowledge the impact of the viewing of television series on reality and on their own lives.