“As one of the most important theoreticians of cultural studies, public pedagogy, and visual culture in North America, Sut Jhally’s work has always embodied the assumption that the greatest danger facing the 21st century is not the risk of illusory hopes but those undemocratic forces that deny social, economic and political justice.”
The Spectacle of Accumulation: Essays in Media, Culture & Politics
Sut Jhally’s 2006 publication, ‘The Spectacle of Accumulation: Essays in Media, Culture & Politics,’ presents a comprehensive collection of his influential writings. Engaging with themes like the role of advertising, cultural politics of sport, and media education, Jhally’s work reflects his commitment to social justice and public pedagogy. This essential volume, featuring a foreword by Henry Giroux and insightful interviews, showcases Jhally’s profound impact as an activist, writer, and educator.
Hijacking Catastrophe: 9/11, Fear & the Selling of American Empire
“Hijacking Catastrophe,” edited by Sut Jhally & Jeremy Earp, presents 28 insightful interviews with leading political thinkers. It unveils how the Bush administration capitalized on 9/11 trauma to push a neo-conservative agenda for global dominance. This riveting collection delves into the ideological motivations behind US policies post-9/11 and explores the strategies employed to garner public support. Featuring interviews with prominent figures like Noam Chomsky, Tariq Ali, and Norman Mailer, this book offers critical analysis of America’s post-9/11 landscape.
Enlightened Racism: The Cosby Show, Audiences & the Myth of the American Dream
“Enlightened Racism” by Sut Jhally and Justin Lewis offers a thought-provoking critique of “The Cosby Show.” Drawing from extensive audience research, the book highlights how despite the show’s positive impact, it perpetuates the myth that African Americans who don’t succeed have only themselves to blame. Through interviews with 52 focus groups, the authors reveal viewers’ deep engagement with the show and their perception of it as reality. While white viewers see the Huxtable family as “nice” blacks and black viewers appreciate the lack of racial stereotypes, the book argues that the portrayal of the black upper class hides the realities of most African Americans’ lives. This distortion, the authors contend, impedes clear thinking about the intersection of race and class in society.
The Codes of Advertising: Fetishism and the Political Economy of Meaning inConsumer Society
“The Codes of Advertising” by Sut Jhally delves into the cultural impact of advertising beyond its economic implications. Jhally argues that television transforms viewers into laborers by selling their attention to advertisers. Through this lens, viewers not only interpret commercial messages but also contribute to media profits through their engagement. This insightful book sheds light on the complex dynamics between viewers, media, and advertising in shaping cultural meanings.
Social Communication in Advertising: Consumption in the Mediated marketplace
Social Communication in Advertising,” now in its updated fourth edition. Authored by William Leiss, Stephen Kline, Sut Jhally, Jackie Botterill, and Kyle Asquith. Newly updated for the digital era, this classic textbook provides a comprehensive historical study of advertising and its function within contemporary society by tracing advertising’s influence throughout different media and cultural periods, from early magazines through to social media. With several new chapters on the rise of the Internet, mobile, and social media, this fourth edition offers new insights into the role of Google, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube as both media and advertising companies, as well as examining the role of brand culture in the 21st century.
Cultural Politics in Contemporary America
“Cultural Politics in Contemporary America,” edited by Ian Angus and Sut Jhally, offers a compelling exploration of the intricate relationship between American media and culture. From the impact of Ronald Reagan’s Hollywood persona to the commercial co-optation of Bruce Springsteen’s music, this book examines diverse facets of contemporary American society. Featuring essays by notable scholars and thinkers such as Gore Vidal, Stuart Ewen, and Todd Gitlin, it provides a radical perspective on the complex interplay between media, culture, and politics in the United States.