Second edition of the book "Medienkultur" by member of the priority program has just been published

22.10.2013

The second edition of "Medienkultur. Die Kultur mediatisierter Welten" by Andreas Hepp has been released in an updated and complemented version

What does it mean that we can be reached on our mobile phones wherever we are and at all times? What are the cultural consequences if we are informed about 'everything and anything important' via television? How are our political, religious and ethnic belongings impacted through being increasingly connected by digital media? And what is the significance of all this for our everyday lives? Drawing on Hepp's fifteen-year research expertise on media change, this book deals with questions like these in a refreshingly straightforward and readable way. 'Cultures of mediatization' are described as cultures whose main resources are mediated by technical media. Therefore, everyday life in cultures of mediatization is 'moulded' by the media. To understand this challenging media change it is inappropriate to focus on any one single medium like television, the press, mobile phones, the Internet or other forms of digital media. One has to capture the 'mediatization' of culture in its entirety. Cultures of Mediatization outlines how this can be done critically. In so doing, it offers a new way of thinking about our present-day media-saturated world.

The second updated edition of the German-language version has been complemented by additonal theoretical references (i.a. to communicative constructivism), an elaboration of the concept of "communicative figurations" as well as a preface that introduces the discussion on mediatization.

Reviews of the English-language edition

'For those unfamiliar with the concept of mediatization, Andreas Hepp opens up some stimulating new directions for media studies. For those already working with the concept, Hepp's integrative theoretical analysis plus refreshing questioning will prove equally stimulating.' Sonia Livingstone (London School of Economics and Political Science)

'This book gives an original view on media cultures as cultures of mediatization. This clear and accessible text provides a good overview and introduction to the complex and hot topics on mediatization. It is a must for students, researchers and a general academic public interested in the media and social change.' Knut Lundby (University of Oslo)

Please find further information on the updated German-language edition here and on the English-language edition here.