"In response to what I perceived as a lack of accessible guides to theory, I created my own, online Guide to Critical Theory (http://www.cla.purdue.edu/english/theory/). Critical Theory: The Key Concepts represents the most up-to-date version of any material found on the web site (which makes up less than a fifth of this book and where one can still go for additional material). Almost every entry in the online Guide to Critical Theory has been updated or expanded in some way for this book"-- Author's note on use.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 327-352) and index.

"Critical Theory: The Key Concepts introduces over 200 widely-used terms, categories and ideas drawing from new historicism, postmodernism, psychoanalysis, Marxism, narratology and other approaches. Entries range from concise definitions to longer explanatory essays and include terms such as :EgoDesireConsumptionHypertextKitschMisogynyQueer StudiesSymbolSuperstructureRaceFeaturing cross-referencing throughout, a substantial bibliography and index, this accessible and easy-to-use guide is an invaluable introduction for anyone studying critical theory. "-- Provided by publisher.

"Critical Theory: The Key Concepts introduces over 300 widely-used terms, categories and ideas drawing upon well-established approaches like new historicism, postmodernism, psychoanalysis, Marxism, and narratology as well as many new critical theories of the last twenty years such as Actor-Network Theory, Global Studies, Critical Race Theory, and Speculative Realism. This book explains the key concepts at the heart of a wide range of influential theorists from Agamben to to Slavoj Žižek." -- Provided by publisher.