Web Theory An Introduction

"Web Theory is a comprehensive and critical introduction to the theories of the internet and the world wide web. Robert Burnett and P. David Marshall examine the key debates which surround internet culture, from issues of globalization, political economy and regulation, to ideas about communication, identity and aesthetics. "Web Theory explore the shifts in society, culture and the media which have been brought about by the growth of the world wide web. It identifies significant readings, web sites and hypertext archive sources which illustrate the critical discussion about the internet and it mediates these discussions, indicating key positions within each debate and pointing the reader to key texts.
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Web Theory includes:
- Chapters showing how specific media have been affected by the internet
- Boxed case studies and examples
- References, an extensive bibliography and a list of web sites
- A glossary of key terms with important words highlighted in the text
- A Web Theory timeline which details important events
- A comprehensive and regularly updated website at www.webtheory.nu with links and support material

1 Web of technology 2 Information and networks 3 The Web as communication 4 Webs of identity 5 The Look of the Web 6 The Web economy 7 The Web of policy, regulation and copyright 8 The Web of informational news 9 Web of entertainment

Robert Burnett is Professor of Media and Communications at Karlstad University, Sweden. He is the author of The Global Jukebox (Routledge, 1996). David Marshall is Director of the Media and Cultural Studies Centre at the University of Queensland, Australia. He is the author of Celebrity and Power (Minnesota University Press, 1997) and Modes of Cultural Analysis (Sage).