Connecting Cultural Studies, Critical Theory and Critical Discourse Analysis: Past, Present, Future

Abstract

In this journal the researcher have explored some of the inexorably connected histories , but also distinguishes , analyzes critical discourses and cultural studies . I argue that both are strongly influenced by the version of critical theory which has been characterized as 'postmodernism ' and 'poststructuralism ' and both can benefit not only from some serious engagements with some of the disciplines with which they are interdisciplinary , but also from some further in exploration depth of critical theory that informs them and that they are often 'translated ' or 'co-opted ' by reductionist means . I also argue that the claims that are sometimes made for critical discourse analysis are increased and without ethnography and serious attention to the theory and research on the context , such claims can not be sustained . On the other hand 'resignation ' or CDA cultural politics is an important agenda and we need to do more work to determine exactly how social change can be done through the kind of work CDA can do . My conclusion is that we need to reframe and contemplate the ways in which we define and do the CDA and it will involve the taking of cultural studies and critical discourse analysis together in a productive new way with other disciplinary and theoretical formations and with the attention that true to the new and different global and local contexts in which we work .