Material culture studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the relationships between people and their things: the production, history, preservation, and interpretation of objects. It draws on theory and practice from disciplines in the social sciences and humanities, such as anthropology, archaeology, history, and museum studies. Written by leading international scholars, this Handbook provides a comprehensive view of developments, methodologies and theories. It is divided into five broad themes, embracing both classic and emerging areas of research in the field. Chapters outline transformative moments in material culture scholarship, and present research from around the world, focusing on multiple material and digital media that show the scope and breadth of this exciting field. Written in an easy-to-read style, it is essential reading for students, researchers and professionals with an interest in material culture.
1. Suitcases, selfies and the global environment: Material culture, materiality and the new materialism Lu Ann De Cunzo, Catharine Dann Roeber; 2. Materiality Julian Yates; 3. Representation Sarah Wasserman; 4. Disciplinary complicity: The university, material culture studies and global environmental crisis Richard Hutchings; 5. Social justice: Material drivers of inequality Claire Smith, Jordan Ralph, Cherrie De Lieuen, Kelli Pollard; 6. Engagement and the politics of authority Christóbal Gnecco; 7. War and violence: How to rescue a wartime Artifact Bozena Shallcross; 8. Material culture and heritage Laura McAtackney; 9. Material culture and the politics and profession of preservation and representation Gretchen Sorin; 10. Re-enacting the past Heather Fitzsimmons Frey, Marlis Schweitzer; 11. Indigenous heritage Emily Moore; 12. The matter of cultural exchange Anna Grasskamp; 13. Population movements Magdalena Naum; 14. Identity and agency Veronica Strang; 15. Modes of representation Sebnem Timur Ogut; 16. Aesthetics Timothy Carroll; 17. Objects are alive Peter Roe; 18. Technology Ludovic Coupaye; 19. Place Elijah Gaddis; 20. Home and domesticity Psyche Williams-Forson; 21. The materiality of institutional life Eleanor Casella, Linnea Kuglitsch; 22. Material religion Gretchen Buggeln; 23. Material culture of the digital Ryan Cordell; 24. Material/digital boundaries Natasha Chuk; 25. Boundaries and borderlands, inclusion and holism: Political and relevant material culture studies Lu Ann De Cunzo, Catharine Dann Roeber.
Lu Ann De Cunzo is Professor of Anthropology at University of Delaware. She is Past President of Society for Historical Archaeology, 2009-10. Notable publications include A Historical Archaeology of Delaware (2004), and Unlocking the Past (2005). Catharine Roeber is Interim Director of Academic Programs and Brock W. Jobe Associate Professor of Decorative Arts and Material Culture at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library affiliated with the University of Delaware. She is Executive Editor for the Winterthur Portfolio and is Co-founder of Consortium of Digital Decorative Arts (CODA).
