A Companion to Popular Culture is a landmark survey of contemporary research in popular culture studies that offers a comprehensive and engaging introduction to the field. * Includes over two dozen essays covering the spectrum of popular culture studies from food to folklore and from TV to technology * Features contributions from established and up-and-coming scholars from a range of disciplines * Offers a detailed history of the study of popular culture * Balances new perspectives on the politics of culture with in-depth analysis of topics at the forefront of popular culture studies