The Invention of Cultural Studies

The invention of Cultural Studies emerged in the 1960s as an interdisciplinary field that examines how culture—arts, media, language, and everyday practices—shapes social identities, power dynamics, and societal norms. It originated in the UK, influenced by scholars like Raymond Williams and Stuart Hall, aiming to understand how culture influences people's experiences and societal structures. Rather than viewing culture as just entertainment or tradition, Cultural Studies analyzes its role in reproducing or challenging social inequalities, providing insights into how cultural meaning is created and contested in everyday life.