Field Of Cultural Studies Research Articles

Два этапа развития автофикшн

The article examines the socio-literary phenomenon of “auto-fiction” as a continuous process, the study of which requires systematization of existing research and a more careful study of those which are not yet completed on its new stage of development of the phenomenon of “auto-fiction”. The article proposes to divide the history of autofiction development into two stages: “genre” and “ego-documentary”. The “ego-documentary stage” is examined in detail: identifying how changes in the perception of autobiography have influenced autofiction; identifying acquired egodocumentary features in autofiction; examining how ego-document researchers work with autofictional works; and suggesting the relationship between autofiction and photography in the context of the expanding form of autofictional works. The novelty of the study lies in the application of an interdisciplinary approach, thanks to which it becomes possible to study the reasons of changes in autofiction. This article is relevant due to the study of the modern phenomenon of autofiction and its wide field of application, since it can be used in the field of cultural studies, sociology, philology, psychology, philosophy and many others. The study shows that the perception of autofiction is radically different in the "genre" and "ego-documentary" stages of development, which justifies the division into stages; a direction for an even greater expansion of the concept of "autofiction", concerning both the form of the work and its content, is identified.

The Beatles Culture: Uniting the World Through Music

The Beatles phenomenon is increasingly being included in the subject field of cultural studies, both in theoretical discourses and in the field of applied developments. One of these platforms, connecting analytical excursions and the possibilities of sociocultural design, was the Beatles readings, held for the first time in Samara. The artistic heritage of the Beatles was considered in the context of predominantly cultural interpretations and positioned as a separate phenomenon in world culture, a kind of “soundtrack of a generation”. The emergence of a culture called the Beatles marked a turn to new social imperatives and aesthetic values of the 60s of the 20th century and radically changed the daily life of several generations of people who discovered and brought the world closer to themselves through the memorable melodies and songwriting of the Fab Four. This is what this article is about.

Developing a conceptual framework for exploring cultural representations in Vietnamese children’s picturebooks

In a time of globalisation, the teaching of intercultural understanding has become one of the essential components of teaching curriculum in classrooms around the world. Among various materials for teaching intercultural understanding, multicultural children’s picturebooks have been applied widely in classrooms to raise students’ awareness of cultural representations of diverse countries, especially the teaching of Asian cultures in the context of Western classrooms. However, studies in teaching intercultural understanding have also reported teachers’ difficulties in interpreting and analysing cultural elements in multicultural materials including Asian children’s picturebooks. Therefore, this paper firstly explores painters’ and illustrators’ methods in depicting cultural aspects in Vietnam. Then, the paper proposes a conceptual framework for interpreting cultural meanings children’s picturebooks about Vietnam. To do so, we conducted in-depth interviews with Vietnamese painters and illustrators who are experienced in illustrating Vietnamese culture in artworks including picturebooks. Based on interview findings with Vietnamese painters and illustrators, we propose a conceptual framework for exploring cultural aspects in Vietnamese children’s picturebooks. Grounded Theory (Strauss & Corbin, 1998) and qualitative research design (Burgess & Bryman, 1999; Mayring, 2014) along with influential theoretical frameworks in the field of cultural studies and children’s literature (Hall, 1976; Kress & van Leeuwen, 2006; Painter et al., 2013; Weaver, 1993) are applied in the present paper. Findings in this paper are significant to researchers and teachers who are interested in working with multicultural picturebooks as well as multimodal texts to explore Asian cultures.

Questions, Loneliness, Lists, and Holding Space: Mundane Significance in Qualitative Research Mentoring

This article is an investigation of our mentoring relationship in the context of philosophically and theoretically informed qualitative research over the past several years. Specifically, we focus on our work as qualitative researchers from a variety of theoretical and philosophical standpoints. In this article, we think with two theoretical concepts: micro-ethical events and care as a world-making practice along with data from our years-long mentoring relationship. As a result, we describe how we discovered that it is the moments which initially seemed mundane which were most significant in mentoring. We name this contribution as mundane significance, describing three insights for the field of cultural studies: care-full reading practices, making the invisible, visible, and challenging mentor and mentee binaries.

Introduction

Nature and culture have hundreds of aspects and manifestations in modern societies. Volume 7 of the Yearbook of the Balkan and Baltic Studies aims to highlight some of the trends emerging and results achieved in the field of cultural studies, demonstrating how culture and nature interrelate and complement each other. The volume contains a series of articles on religion, human-nature relations, linguistic phenomena, crises, specific spheres of folklore, activities of the Tartu-Moscow School, and the mindscape of a notable individual.

SIGNIFICANCE OF CULTURE STUDIES IN ENGLISH LITERATURE

The field of cultural studies has significantly influenced English literature, offering a multifaceted lens through which literary texts are examined and understood in their cultural, historical, and social contexts. This study explores the significance of cultural studies in English literature, focusing on its contributions to understanding identity, power structures, representation, race, gender, and the intersections of various socio-political influences on literary production. By analyzing literature through the frameworks of cultural studies, this research aims to highlight how texts both shape and are shaped by the cultures from which they emerge. The study discusses the evolution of cultural studies, its current trends, and the implications for future research in literary studies.

No such thing as peacetime: Notes on Gaza, Hannah Arendt and cultural studies

This comment piece, prompted by the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the terrible toll of lives of Gazan people following the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, argues that the field of cultural studies has its origins in a notion of post-war peacetime and that this has created a vocabulary deficit in regard to war, genocide and state violence. Paul Gilroy and Stuart Hall have confronted patterns of violence in regard to the urban environment and the policing of Black youth as well as the escalation in day-to-day authoritarianism and the rise of the right. There is a strong case to be made however for the field of cultural studies to more fully draw on political philosophy including Middle East scholarship to engage more directly with the politics of occupation, settler colonialism, neo-nationalism and the far right.

The Impact of the Parameter <i>Individualism — Collectivism</i> on the Formation of Behavioral Characteristics in People of Various National Cultures

Different theories of cross-cultural communication developed by researchers in the field of humanities including cultural anthropology, social psychology, cognitive science, etc., offer a variety of ways to classify national cultures. At the same time, many agree that there is a need for finding clear and measurable fundamental parameters underlying any national culture. The article substantiates the use of the parameter of individualism vs. collectivism, already tested in the framework of anthropology and philosophy of culture with regard to both Western and non-Western cultures, as an effective way for cultural comparison. The article aims to give an overview of various theories of cross-cultural interaction and their elements; to examine where they overlap or diverge; to look into the correlation between individualist/collectivist value orientations and behavior; and to study this parameter realization on a number of cases. The study is based on philosophical, anthropological, and cultural psychological theories, including the theory of guilt and shame cultures by R. Benedict, theory of self–presentations by R. Baumeister and D. Hutton, theory of personality’s self-construction by H. Marcus and S. Kitayama, as well as theory of cultural logics by A. Leung and D. Cohen. As an empirical confirmation of the above theoretical approaches, the article provides real-life examples, collected by the author. Literature was subject to categorical analysis. Empirical data was collected and analyzed using methods such as participant observation and discourse analysis. The comparative approach and hermeneutics techniques served as a general methodological prism. The study shows that, at least since the 1960s, specialists in the field of cultural studies have been increasingly discovering limitations and inconsistencies in theories that previously claimed to be universal: many of the models which originated in the West do not adequately represent non-Western cultures. The study proves the workability of the parameter of individualism vs. collectivism for interpretation of behavioral inconsistencies between people of different cultures. This parameter is compatible with a wide range of frameworks and shows a clear correlation between behavioral characteristics in different cultures and allows to interpret phenomena that were previously uninterpretable.

Foodism in Ireland: feeding foodie philosophy or showing a shift in contemporary food culture?

ABSTRACT This paper examines contemporary food culture in Ireland through the phenomenon of foodism and the habits and traits expressed through the subculture of foodies. Elements and actors of the Irish food scene are also considered. Qualitative research was applied to investigate the five research objectives posed. This featured six in-depth interviews with “key informants” from Ireland’s tourism sector, educational sector, food sector, and a state food agency, conducted during 2020. The study draws insights from the fields of cultural studies and sociology. Thematic analysis was applied as part of the methodology process, from which five themes developed from the data findings. These are: (1) An evolving Irish food culture, (2) Two perceptions of Irish food, (3) A breakdown of hierarchies, (4) Influencing factors, (5) State body remits. The primary research reveals that industry experts and academics concur that Irish food and culture have “evolved” from a more traditional cuisine and culture and that these are dynamic entities. In addition, it establishes that there is a “hunger for food” amongst a small but growing cohort of Ireland’s population, who wish to gain information via food media and to access food experiences such as culinary courses, gastro tours and food festival events.

From Kimono to Big Mac: An Analysis of Russian Internet Queries as a Reflection of Stereotypes Forming Images of the Other

The study addresses the analysis of the ethnic “Other” images in the stereotypes of Russians, utilizing data from internet searches in Yandex and Google search engines. The primary issue is to understand how frequently encountered queries reflect cultural representations and biases, shaping the collective perception of various ethnic groups. The aim of the article is to analyze and comprehend the dynamics of public opinions and views on various aspects of other cultures, including dietary, vestimentary, and sexual habits. The research focuses on identifying key markers that Russians associate with different ethnicities.
 The results demonstrate that the analysis of internet search queries can reflect a comprehensive level of public interest, fears, and apprehensions towards the cultural “Other.” The study provides a detailed view of the various forms of societal response, ranging from interest and curiosity to fears and prejudices. The analysis also revealed significant moments of intensification of interethnic tensions and changes in public discourse, particularly in the context of perceiving and interpreting cultural differences.
 The conclusions of the research emphasize the importance of an objective analysis of internet queries for understanding public views and opinions about different ethnic groups. The article will be useful for researchers in the fields of cultural studies, sociology, and for those interested in studying the dynamics of cultural interaction and the perception of the ethnic “Other” in contemporary society.

“There's an awful lot of rubbish around masquerading as Cultural Studies”: Rethinking Sport Studies After the Cultural Turn

This article addresses the (inter)disciplinary parameters and political possibilities of Sport Studies by providing an overview of the state of Sport Studies after the cultural turn. The cultural turn is defined as the influence of linguistic models on cultural analysis and the associated impact of poststructuralism and critical theory on the social sciences. I argue that the cultural turn, especially as developed within the academic field of Cultural Studies, resulted in the elevation of culture as central rather than epiphenomenal to our understandings of how society works. Drawing on the work and ideas of Stuart Hall, I warn against decontextualized forms of cultural analysis, that privilege discourse analysis and descriptive content analysis. Instead, an argument is made for more critical conjunctural analyses, broadly defined as the analysis of socio-economic forces that shape power relations within a given social field during a particular period of time. The article then maps six key forces reshaping the current conjuncture. Sport, I argue, is entangled in complex ways with these emerging and changing formations, and in some areas, sport is at the forefront of the cultural-ideological revolutions taking place. As a key site of meaning making, a powerful space where bonds of attachment are forged, a space of fantasy and play, and a place for identity construction and human creativity, I show how sport is now central to current struggles to remake the world system into a more humane, less toxic and more egalitarian space.

Linguistic and cultural analysis of the written monuments of the Old Kipchak language of the Mamluk-Golden Horde period

Relevance. The study of the linguocultural foundations of the Kipchak language lays the foundation for the formation of historical, cultural, phonetic and lexico-grammatical components, which create a mechanism for the development of Turkic studies as a whole. The process of loss of clarity and sharpness of cultural contrasts and their dissipation must be adapted to save the potential of subtle differences in Kipchak speech present in the social reality of the Turks. Purpose. The purpose of the study is to analyse the features of the functioning of Turkic linguistic and cultural trends, taking into account the peculiarities of the use of Kipchak language units. Methodology. To achieve the research goals, the following methods were used: structural, content analysis, comparative. Results. The results of the work determined that the Kipchak words form the basis for the study of linguocultural and lexical components that form the cultural, phonetic and grammatical structures of the development of Turkic studies in general. Content analysis made it possible to identify various language units that describe the picture of the world of the Turks and are unique dialects of the cultural context. It was determined that the study of the phonetic and lexical and grammatical properties of the Kipchak language contributes to the active promotion of linguocultural elements that permeate the traditions, customs, and culture of the Turks. Conclusions. Consideration of the relevant phrases, expressions, and language units made it possible to see a wide linguocultural spectrum of the functioning of the Kipchak language within the framework of historical events, life, and professions of that time. The practical significance lies in the use of the results of the study by scientists, as well as specialists in the field of cultural studies, linguoculturology, linguistics and Turkology. Keywords: Kipchak language; culture; identity; dialects; linguistic picture of the world

Posthumanism is Right in so far as Humanism is Not Human Enough: Introducing Vol. 11 No. 2

Alongside the “Anthropocene,” “posthuman” undoubtedly counts among the most prominent keywords of today’s academic discourses. Its increasing prominence in the Indonesian academia was reflected in the theme of the Sanata Dharma Berbagi conference held in October 2023. The title of the fifth edition of the ASLE-ASEAN Ecocritical Conference held in Chiang Rai, Thailand, just a month later, too, was “Posthuman Southeast Asia.” If the conference series had understandably close affinity with broadly posthumanist orientations from its inception, the title of the fifth iteration of the conference perhaps distinguished itself with its constative resonance, that Southeast Asia already is posthuman. The avenues for thought that the posthumanist wave clears, particularly in the Indonesian context wherein it represents advances beyond a myopic culturalism that so often constrains research in the humanities, deserve full intellectual attention from those in the field of cultural studies in the country. However, even though I myself have recently defended certain theoretical projects that are sometimes associated with posthumanism, I still remain hesitant to ride the wave of posthumanism at full speed. For I have also found myself wondering whether the great strides promised by posthumanism risk obfuscating alternative paths forward potentially opened by other lines of thought.

. ДЖИЗИЕ ПЛАТЦИ В КАЗА ЕСКИ ДЖУМА (ТЪРГОВИЩЕ) ПРЕЗ XIX ВЕК (ПО ДАННИ НА ОСМАНСКИ РЕГИСТРИ)

The possibility of using archival documents, including those from the archives in the Republic of Turkey, allows various studies and analyzes to be carried out, which shed light on Bulgarian history, and can be used in the field of cultural studies, sociology, and linguistics. The ledgers undoubtedly represent historical sources extremely rich in business and economic data. Under Ottoman Sharia law, non-Muslims living within the country were identified as dhimmis and a tax called djizie was collected from them. The Ottoman registers contain data on djizie tax payers and thanks to them it is possible to obtain information about the non-Muslim population and the economic status of the settlement. The present study is based on the data obtained from the nufus, temettuat and djizie registers of Eski Djuma (Targovishte), which are kept in the Ottoman Archives in Istanbul.

Content strategies of Chinese reality shows in the era of media convergence

The scientific article is devoted to the study of content strategies used in Chinese reality shows during the period of media convergence. In the era of rapid media development and the merging of various platforms, the evolution of content approaches in Chinese reality programs is analyzed. The study focuses on the impact of this evolution on viewers and the role of reality TV in China's cultural and media landscape.The article is devoted to a detailed study of the content strategies of Chinese reality shows in the context of the modern era of media convergence. The authors analyze the impact of technological innovations and changes in the media environment on the development and presentation of reality formats, as well as the reaction of the Chinese audience to these changes. The article examines the various strategies used by producers to adapt to the new demands of the digital era and effectively interact with viewers.The article is based on the analysis of the study of content strategies that are actively used today in modern Chinese reality shows, during the period of rapid development of media convergence. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive methodological approach was applied, including an analysis of the content of reality programs, a review of relevant literature on the topic and interviews with participants and viewers. The study showed the evolution of content strategies in Chinese reality shows, reflecting the decisive influence of media convergence on the production and perception of content. The current key trends and changes in the representation of reality, as well as interaction with the audience, are analyzed. The results of the study can be used to improve strategies for creating and promoting content in modern conditions of media convergence, as well as in the field of cultural studies and media research. The work contributes to understanding the dynamics of changes in the content of Chinese reality shows in the context of media convergence, identifying unique aspects of this process in Chinese culture and society. The study confirms the importance of adapting content strategies under the influence of media convergence and puts forward proposals for the development of more effective content approaches in the modern Chinese media environment.

Editors' Introduction

Responding to Palestinian organizers' calls to use our voice, continue to engage in conversations, and to speak out, this statement articulates what we see as the abolitionist and anti-colonial way forward—the only way we can commit to a free Palestine. Imagining and building alternatives is the future, the horizon of possibility, that Lateral, as part of the intellectual and activist project of cultural studies, is imperfectly but consistently striving toward. Here, we highlight work in this issue, including the Towards Third Worlding forum, articles, book reviews, and the second installment of the Positions podcast. We continue to welcome authors to join in this work of pushing the field of cultural studies further, towards its promise of critical inquiry matched by political engagement.

Impact of Tourist Destinations in Central Ukraine on the Mental Paradigm of Ukrainian Society

The purpose of the article is to study the specific character of the relationship between the socio-cultural phenomena of tourist destinations and mentality; to analyse the impact made by the culture-building potential of destinations in Central Ukraine, their sacred and spiritual significance on the mental paradigm of Ukrainian society; to understand the historical and cultural sights and tourist destinations in Central Ukraine as important components in the formation of the mentality and preservation of the national identity of Ukrainians. The research methodology and the main methods of research are based on the application of a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach, the study of the scientific contributions made by the researchers in the field of cultural studies, philosophy, history of tourism, sociology, and other related disciplines. The article uses general scientific and special methods of scientific knowledge, in particular analysis, synthesis, genetic, cultural, and other methods. The scientific novelty of the paper lies in the determined need to understand the interrelationship of the development processes of tourist destinations in Central Ukraine and their impact on the mental paradigm of Ukrainian society from the standpoint of cultural studies; in the analysis of the impact of tourist destinations in Central Ukraine and the self-identification and mentality of Ukrainians. Conclusions. The result of the research is the determined existence of the impact of tourist destinations in Central Ukraine on the formation of the mental paradigm of Ukrainian society and their interrelationship. Moreover, the conclusions are the identification and highlighting of the socio-cultural potential of Central Ukraine destinations, their sacred and spiritual significance for the mental paradigm of Ukrainian society, both in historical retrospect and in the present.
 Keywords: tourist destinations, mental paradigm, Ukrainian society, culturology of tourism, Central Ukraine.

Digitalization of the Educational Process in the Field of Culture and Art: Challenges and Prospects

The aim of this article is to assess the challenges and opportunities presented by the digitalization of the educational process within the realm of culture and art. To achieve this objective, a range of analytical methods such as analysis, synthesis, prognostication, systematic examination, and comparison were employed. The findings underscore the favorable impact of digitalization on the educational landscape of culture and the arts. A key innovation lies in the potential widespread integration of cutting-edge solutions into the educational framework, as well as the utilization of virtual and augmented reality, facilitating the development of essential competencies required to mold a new generation of digital-savvy professionals. The conclusions consolidate strategies for surmounting the primary challenges encountered by digitalization in the field of cultural studies and the arts within the Ukrainian context. The study highlights several pivotal areas crucial for the advancement of digital education in culture and the arts. These areas encompass the establishment of a digitalized educational environment, the cultivation of digital and informational proficiencies, the exploration of innovative digital learning modalities and techniques, and the fostering of virtual engagement with artistic creations. To ensure the progression and effectiveness of art education in the digital era, it is imperative to strike a harmonious balance between traditional pedagogical approaches and the imperatives of contemporary digital society. The central emphasis should revolve around aligning the organization of art education with the evolving demands of the modern world.

Cultural Exchange and Resilience: Shaping Coffee Consumption in Saudi Arabia's Coffee Shops

The impact of cultural variety on coffee consumption habits in Saudi Arabia is investigated in this study, which focuses on coffee shops in Riyadh, Jeddah and Eastern Province. The study wants to know how cultural influences impact coffee culture and what it means for company resilience; provides insights for coffee shop owners to navigate the shifting market climate while promoting cultural interaction and appreciation by examining the relationship between cultural diversity, coffee consumption, and resilience. The research employs a qualitative case study technique, with in-depth interviews with coffee shop owners, employees, and customers, as well as observation of coffee shop settings. The collected data will be evaluated thematically to uncover patterns and insights; considered ethical factors to improve awareness of cultural influences in the coffee business and foster cultural interchange.
 The findings show that cultural variety has substantially enriched Saudi Arabia's coffee culture, leading to the emergence of inclusive coffee shops that cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. The presence of people from different countries has allowed product innovation, cross-cultural collaboration, and information sharing in the coffee industry. Inclusive coffee shops also contribute to social cohesion by providing areas for cultural appreciation and understanding. The study emphasizes the significance of cultural variety in shaping coffee consumption patterns and building company resilience. Coffee shop owners and stakeholders can use these findings to develop inclusive coffee cultures that highlight the richness of Saudi society; contributing to the field of cultural studies by underlining the importance of cultural diversity in determining consumption patterns, increasing social cohesion, and enhancing corporate resilience in the coffee value chain.

The Gender Aspect of the English Language. Should We Teach Gender Neutrality in the Classroom?

Aim. This article is aimed at the study of different aspects of gender linguistics in the English language, namely, the grammatical category of gender, gender vocabulary and phraseology, male and female differences in using language, the problem of gender neutrality teaching in English. Methods. The article is based on the study and review of research works in the fields of cultural studies, linguistics, and sociology. The paper summarises the current state of understanding on the topic and makes contribution to the field. Results. In this paper the grammatical gender of English is studied, examples of lexical units, phraseology, proverbs, and sayings are given, and differences in speech between men and women are described, forms of gender-neutral English are presented. The results of research clearly show that in the past English used not to be a gender-neutral language. Nowadays, we can observe that changes in cultural views influenced by feminism in the English-speaking countries have led to changes in the language itself. Conclusions. English has become one of the first languages in the world in which gender neutrality has become predominant. We think since gender-neutrality is highly valued in the English-speaking society, it must be taught to learners of English in different countries since the primary aim of learning a foreign language is communication which always includes a cultural component.