Stuart Price, Senior
Lecturer in Media Arts and Communication Studies at Thames Valley University
(London College of Music and Media) is an experienced author and teacher.
In writing this book, he has produced an A - Z guide to the key terms and
concepts associated with the study of Media and Communication. All
entries are cross-references which makes the format very easy to use. Its
definitions are straight-forward and accessible. A one-sentence definition
introduces each entry, followed by an explanation, illustrations, photographs
and diagrams where appropriate.
It is an ideal accompaniment to any Media Studies course and is particularly useful as a reference source. Its audience would mainly consist of students of Media Studies courses at post-16 stages - especially valuable as an aid to Higher Still Media Studies terminology at Intermediate 2 and beyond.
Its definitions of key terms, especially those associated with industry, new media and digital technologies are very good; its explanations of the theoretical concepts associated with the study of popular culture, however, are not quite as thorough, yet he does introduce most of these landmark debates - for deeper insights and greater clarity, the reader would be required to look elsewhere.
In its defence, "The Complete A - Z Media and Communication Handbook" was not designed to be an instructional tome; it is more of a handy reference book - a glossary - whose presence in the classroom would instantly provide clear and concise definitions of all the terminology appropriate to Media Studies for students and tutors at all stages.
AC Dewar
(MEJ 23)
© 2001 AC Dewar/MEJ