History and Materiality
Title
History and Materiality
Author
Joyce, Rosemary A.
Research Area
Culture
Topic
Culture and Society
Abstract
Studies of the newly emerging field of materiality examine the various ways in which physical objects that populate the environments we inhabit affect us socially, psychologically, and culturally. Scholars across the humanities and social sciences are actively engaged in such studies of what they term the new materialism. It examines how “things” shape tour worlds in decisive ways. This essay reviews the development of this exciting new area of investigation and outlines promising directions for study going forward.