Cultural studies - indisputably the hottest subject on planet earth! But what exactly is it? Where does it come from? What is it for? It is a discipline that claims not to be a discipline, a critical approach to identity and race, literature and imperialism, peasants and capitalists, high and low culture. Introducing Cultural Studies provides an incisive tour through the minefield of this complex subject, charting its origins in Britain and its migration to the USA, Canada, France, Australia and South Asia, examining the ideas of its leading exponents and providing a flavour of its use around the world. Covering the ground from Gramsci to Raymond Williams, post-colonial discourse to the politics of diaspora, feminism to queer theory and techno-culture, the media to globalization, it serves as an insightful guide to the essential concepts of this fascinating area of study.