Chapter 5: globalisation now

This chapter of The Media Student’s Book explores the complex concept of ‘globalisation’ and globalised media forms, offering materials and approaches with which to understand the history of the concept, the relationship of ‘global’ to ‘local’, as well as the ideological work of the term. Key theorists such as McLuhan (celebrating the world as a 'global village’) and Schiller (seeing ‘cultural imperialism’ as shaping the world) are debated and updated via summaries of contemporary debates. Among the many short case studies or examples used are ones on the history of US popular cinema, on Avatar, on images of China, and of different models of and prophecies about all our global futures.

The Case Study looks at Slumdog Millionaire (UK 2008) understood as a ‘global film’, and includes work on its background, production, distribution, and reception controversies.

As for the other chapters, there is a list of links here as indicated in the book for reference and further study.

Extra links for further work on Slumdog Millionaire are available on this website.

A Case Study on Stars and celebrities in East Asian Media is also available on this website.