Functionalist Explanations in Media Histories: A Historiographical Essay. Issue 4 (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vos, Tim P.
• Is Part Of: American journalism. Volume 35:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 490
• Page End: 503
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: Journalism -- United States -- History -- Periodicals; Journalism -- History -- Periodicals; Journalism -- United States -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 071.309
• DOI: 10.1080/08821127.2018.1527637
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0882-1127

Abstract

Abstract : This historiographical essay examines how functionalist explanations persist in a range of media histories and examines the logic and consequences of functionalist explanations. The essay argues that paying attention to social, cultural, economic or political contexts does not necessarily move media historians substantially closer to offering explanation. Even histories that describe structural contexts can be plagued by a persistent problem: functionalist assumptions. The essay argues this undercuts the value of historical scholarship.