BGHS

Research Group "Production of Culture"

The production of culture perspective focuses on how cultural content such as animation films, news items or museum exhibitions is created, distributed and evaluated. It analyses the interplay of actors, social networks, institutions and cognitive frameworks and assesses the effect production systems has on cultural products. This involves both theoretical reflection and empirical research.

Among the aspects that fall into the area of "production of culture" are:

• the configuration of cultural fields (for example the establishment of museums, scientific "schools", management fads or musical genres)
• cultural change (Why is some content successful while other fails?)
• Conditions for innovation and creativity
• the relationship between the production and the consumption of culture
• cultural transfer

A list of essential "production of culture" readings, compiled by sociologist Richard A. Peterson, is available here:
http://codeandculture.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/production-of-culture/

"Production of culture" is a topical focus within the BGHS. An interdisciplinary research group is dedicated to it. The group meets regularly to discuss related papers or own research projects and aims at organising workshops or joint publications whenever there is a collective interest. Doctoral students and advanced master students in history and sociology are invited to participate. If you want to join or cooperate, please contact the research group leader, Dr. Klaus Nathaus (klaus.nathaus@uni-bielefeld.de).