文化研究中的主要异同问题与思考

Key Issues in Cultural Studies: Similarities and Differences

本文梳理了英美文化研究的主要异同,并借此提出关于文化研究的几个认识问题。研究表明,英美文化研究学者都在努力拉近"经典文化"与"大众文化"之间的距离,为此他们表现出强烈的政治热情。英美两国的文化研究也有不同:前者提倡"文化政治",偏重于社会改革活动,后者则趋于"学院化",重视学术研究和教育改革对社会变革的影响。英美文化研究的演化轨迹,给文化批评领域提供了许多宝贵的借鉴。虽然文化学者们在研究思想及批评方法上表现不同,但其文化研究都接近社会化、实践化的方向。因此,尽管现实的文化研究仍然存在着某些认识差异,但深入认识文化研究的政治目标和社会目的,确有重大的现实意义及未来意义。

This article reveals some changes in British and American cultural studies and addresses some shared assumptions,beliefs,and methods common to most proponents of cultural studies.Current studies show that cultural studies critics are bridging high and low cultural binaries.In the process,they show strong political concerns.There are,of course,differences between British and American cultural studies: British Cultural Studies is more focused on social activism,whereas American Cultural Studies is more institutional,addressing how academic work and educational reforms affect social change.I argue that although there are differences,they are both heading towards social reforms and social change.It is,therefore,of great importance for current and future generations to understand its political and social significance.