Web Theory: An Introduction

Web Theoryis 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 Theoryexplore 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. Web Theoryincludes: 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 withimportant 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

P. David Marshall is the Chair of the Department of Communication Studies at Northeastern University, Boston.