In this sequel to the best-selling text Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice, Chris Barker turns his attention to the significance and future of the field. He analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of cultural studies, providing students and practitioners with an authoritative diagnosis of the subject and a balanced prognosis. The author investigates the boundaries of cultural studies and elucidates the main underlying themes of study. The book demonstrates how cultural studies has handled a range of important questions, namely: * the relationships between language and culture * ideology and truth * politics and cultural analysis * commodification and culture * agency and structure * identity and difference * gender and power * globalization and cultural imperialism * diaspora and hybridity * class and capitalism * consumer culture and lifestyle * texts and contexts * resistance and solidarity. Written with panache and an understanding of classroom needs, this is the perfect teaching complement to Cultural Studies: Theory and Practice. It is a rich resource for seminar work and undergraduate and postgraduate thesis topics, yet it can also be read as a free-standing analysis of the condition of cultural studies today. Central Problems in Cultural Studies is a gem that will concentrate analysis and enliven debate.