The Cambridge Handbook of Material Culture Studies

A fresh and comprehensive account of 21st century approaches to material culture, exploring and challenging disciplinary boundaries.

Lu Ann De Cunzo (Edited by), Catharine Dann Roeber (Edited by)

9781108474610, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 June 2022

800 pages
25 x 17.4 x 4.5 cm, 1.44 kg

Material culture studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the relationships between people and their things: the production, history, preservation, and interpretation of objects. It draws on theory and practice from disciplines in the social sciences and humanities, such as anthropology, archaeology, history, and museum studies. Written by leading international scholars, this Handbook provides a comprehensive view of developments, methodologies and theories. It is divided into five broad themes, embracing both classic and emerging areas of research in the field. Chapters outline transformative moments in material culture scholarship, and present research from around the world, focusing on multiple material and digital media that show the scope and breadth of this exciting field. Written in an easy-to-read style, it is essential reading for students, researchers and professionals with an interest in material culture.

1. Suitcases, selfies and the global environment: Material culture, materiality and the new materialism Lu Ann De Cunzo, Catharine Dann Roeber
2. Materiality Julian Yates
3. Representation Sarah Wasserman
4. Disciplinary complicity: The university, material culture studies and global environmental crisis Richard Hutchings
5. Social justice: Material drivers of inequality Claire Smith, Jordan Ralph, Cherrie De Lieuen, Kelli Pollard
6. Engagement and the politics of authority Christóbal Gnecco
7. War and violence: How to rescue a wartime Artifact Bozena Shallcross
8. Material culture and heritage Laura McAtackney
9. Material culture and the politics and profession of preservation and representation Gretchen Sorin
10. Re-enacting the past Heather Fitzsimmons Frey, Marlis Schweitzer
11. Indigenous heritage Emily Moore
12. The matter of cultural exchange Anna Grasskamp
13. Population movements Magdalena Naum
14. Identity and agency Veronica Strang
15. Modes of representation Sebnem Timur Ogut
16. Aesthetics Timothy Carroll
17. Objects are alive Peter Roe
18. Technology Ludovic Coupaye
19. Place Elijah Gaddis
20. Home and domesticity Psyche Williams-Forson
21. The materiality of institutional life Eleanor Casella, Linnea Kuglitsch
22. Material religion Gretchen Buggeln
23. Material culture of the digital Ryan Cordell
24. Material/digital boundaries Natasha Chuk
25. Boundaries and borderlands, inclusion and holism: Political and relevant material culture studies Lu Ann De Cunzo, Catharine Dann Roeber.

Subject Areas: Anthropology [JHM], Cultural studies [JFC], Archaeology [HD], General & world history [HBG]