Cultural Materialism: WTF? Raymond Williams, Culture and Structures of Feeling

In this month's episode of What the Theory?, we're looking at Cultural Materialism, an approach to understanding culture developed by Raymond Williams. Foundational to cultural studies, cultural materialism (a close relation to new historicism), draws influence from both Marxist Literary Criticism and Liberal Humanism in order to develop a "sociology of culture".
We'll be taking a look at "structures of feeling" including dominant, residual and emergent ideologies as well as an important work in cultural materialism, Political Shakespeare: Essays in Cultural Materialism.
Finally, I put all of this into practice is undertaking a cultural materialist analysis of 2014's The Lego Movie with a particular consideration of how the film handles discourses of creativity under neoliberal capitalism.
Further Reading
Culture and Materialism by Raymond Williams
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UK: amzn.to/2NCvR8z
Political Shakespeare by Jonathan Dollimore and Alan Sinfield
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UK: amzn.to/2SxLQpf
After Raymond Williams: Cultural Materialism and the Break-up of Britain by Hywel Dix
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[The above are affiliate links. I receive a small kickback from anything you buy which, in turn, helps to support the channel.]
If you've enjoyed this video and would like to see more including my What The Theory? series in which I provide some snappy introductions to key theories in the humanities as well as PhD vlogs in which I talk about some of the challenges of being a PhD student then do consider subscribing.
Thanks for watching!
Twitter: @Tom_Nicholas
Website: www.tomnicholas.com

[@Tom_Nicholas]

Thanks for watching all, I've wanted to make a video on Cultural Materialism for a little while now so it was nice to finally get round to it!

[@carolinenavarro6497]

I'm doing a Masters and Culture and Communication and suddenly I find myself watching a video from a young gentleman speaking so well about deep and abstract subjects like that, such as my professors! Youth and technology together have so much to contribute! Thank you for sharing and I hope you continue evolving and participating ! Greetings from Brazil!

[@valezkaanwar2869]

i swear i just shuffled through thousands of literature about structures of feeling for hours on end and couldnt understand ANYTHING. i watch like 7 minutes of this video and feel like i understood what those pretentious academics didn't want me to understand by using their pretentious language 😭

[@samhitaatrey]

For the last couple of days, I had been grappling with my textbook to learn about Raymond Williams, failing quite miserably. Watching your video gave me, I think, a wholesome view of his theories as an ignorant undergrad trying to make sense of media and cultural studies. I have an exam in two days and I think I'll be able to get 5-10 marks at least because of you. Thanks! And do keep making more videos.

[@RD-vi7ro]

What a breath of fresh air! I was looking for something contemporary and clear for my Cultural Studies students in Buenos Aires! This is marvellous! Well done Tom! Keep it up! You are a natural!

[@JayDub4321]

I usually don't subscribe to someone until I've seen like 5 or 6 videos that I really loved, and I just subscribed today. Dude, PLEASE don't stop!

[@rebeccak2067]

I can't believe your videos aren't more popular they're very well done and helpful!! Thanks, just know you're appreciated

[@kellyl5349]

Thank you for posting these videos. I feel that your channel fills a void and gives some much needed balance to KZbin and probably even the internet in general. Happy Holidays!

[@mestery.j378]

You're an incredibly genius who knows how to explain complex ideas in a manageable manner 👏

[@meinan5565]

Thank you Tom for the amazing videos. I am actually presenting on an article using the structures of feelings to analyze Hong Kong independent cinema next week and this video comes really useful. Thanks again for the good work and I'm looking forward to your next video!

[@oliviacampos8819]

Thank you so much for your videos! I wish someday I can talk about these subjects as eloquently as you do. Your content only makes me want to learn more and more!! 🥰

[@joshuaedward7058]

i watched this 4 times ( whole ) re-watching made it easier to follow and i can now say i can understand the two arguments. This was so helpful and VERY understanding! especially with the Lego movie! off to doing my assignment in sociology now !

[@orcasmicyt6423]

lego movie shifts my focus😂

[@Anna-sy9ns]

Thanks for a great video! I have been working my way through your What The Theory playlist. An an architectural history PhD candidate, various theories and philosophers are continually referenced but I've struggled to find an efficient way to wrap my head around them. Your explanations are really helping!

[@gemmabonham959]

Thank Goodness! Finding such a clear and well delivered video to help me get my mind around cultural theory. Thank you.

[@leena3161]

Amazing video as always Tom... And your examples are perfect👌

[@danielbrissenden2555]

Great stuff. I hope you are still active in sharing these great ideas! I know not if you are speaking exemporaneously, or if you began with a script. And that is a mark of an excellent teacher.

[@moulishree6428]

The best thing about your videos are your explicit examples.

[@isabeldurocher2268]

This is a super helpful, clear, concise and coherent presentation on cultural materialism. Thank you so much!

[@arunavaacharya9463]

One of the best videos I have ever watched on Theory. More power to you.