Cultural Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the cultural practices, institutions, and products of various societies, focusing on the ways in which culture influences and is influenced by social dynamics, power relations, and historical contexts. It draws on a wide range of disciplines, including literature, sociology, anthropology, history, and media studies, to analyze the complexities of cultural meanings and identities. Cultural studies seeks to understand how culture shapes people’s experiences and worldviews, as well as how it can serve as a site of resistance or affirmation amid social change. The field recognizes that culture is not monolithic; it encompasses a diverse array of expressions, including art, music, language, and popular media, and addresses issues such as race, gender, class, and globalization. By exploring these dimensions, cultural studies aims to critically engage with the role of culture in contemporary life and its impact on human behavior and societal norms.
Denis Podalydès and Bertrand Belin present powerful stories of social mobility and cultural growth through literature. Podalydès' "L’ami de la famille" explores adolescence intertwined with Pierre Bourdieu, depicting intellectual refuge…