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Sociology of the Arts

Exploring Fine and Popular Forms

Victoria D Alexander author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Published:13th Jan '03

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Sociology of the Arts cover

This is a comprehensive overview of the sociology of art and an authoritative work of scholarship by a leading expert in the field. The international selection of perspectives, empirical research, and case studies makes this book essential for teaching and studying the sociology of art.


  • Synthesizes the various theoretical models of art sociology.
  • Provides empirical examples of books, films, television shows, dance, and music, as well as exemplars of sociological work on the arts.
  • Discusses works from both fine and popular ends of the cultural spectrum.
  • Explores how art is created, distributed, received, consumed, and used by people who experience it.

"In the twenty-five years that I have worked and taught in the field of sociology, this is the first textbook that I can remember enjoying and learning a lot from. Alexander’s Sociology of the Arts brings to life both cutting-edge research and classic works in the sociology of literature, music, art, and popular culture. Students will discover what fascinating things researchers have learned by studying the arts sociologically. And specialists will know what is happening in the forefront of the field." Ann Swidler, University of California at Berkeley


"Sociology of the Arts is a most welcome addition to the field. With a high level of sophistication, but without unnecessary jargon, Dr. Alexander clearly lays out the different frameworks of analysis that have emerged in recent years." Vera Zolberg, New School for Social Research

"This is an informative and thoughtful text for courses in the sociology of art." D. Harper, Univesity of Rochester

ISBN: 9780631230397

Dimensions: 238mm x 168mm x 29mm

Weight: 680g

392 pages