The correct answer is 3: a, b, and c because Richard Hoggart, Raymond Williams, and Stuart Hall are widely recognized as foundational figures in the development of British cultural studies. Let’s break this down:
1. Richard Hoggart
Hoggart was instrumental in the founding of cultural studies as an academic field. His book The Uses of Literacy (1957) is a seminal work that examined the cultural practices of working-class communities.
He also played a key role in establishing the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies (CCCS) at the University of Birmingham in 1964.
2. Raymond Williams
Williams is often regarded as a pioneer of cultural studies. His works, including Culture and Society (1958) and Keywords (1976), explore the development of cultural analysis and how culture intersects with society and politics.
He expanded the definition of culture to include everyday practices, emphasizing its role in societal change.
3. Stuart Hall
Hall, a key figure at the CCCS, is often considered the "father of cultural studies." His work developed the theoretical foundation of the field, particularly through concepts such as encoding/decoding and hegemonic processes.
Hall's leadership at the CCCS brought critical approaches to media, ideology, and power structures.
Why not Lawrence Grossberg?
Lawrence Grossberg is an influential figure in cultural studies, but his contributions are primarily associated with the American evolution of the field. He is a second-generation scholar influenced by the foundational work of the three British scholars mentioned above.
Thus, the answer is 3 (a, b, and c) because these individuals are directly responsible for the emergence and development of British cultural studies.
Year-wise PYQs
