Virginia’s methodology

Broadly speaking, The Substance of Style is a cultural studies book (though not Cultural Studies; for many, that implies a materialist or Marxist perspective). Consider the following questions about Virginia’s methodology, in anticipation of full-class discussion:

1. What cultures does Virginia consider? Why is she selective or inclusive?
2. How does Virginia draw upon culture? What kinds of objects, practices, and systems does she turn to for examples? Is Virginia’s approach systematic? Why or why not?
3. What advantages and drawbacks does cultural studies methodology present to the researcher? the reader?
4. Name some specific, relevant larger questions or topics Virginia does not engage which weaken her argument.
5. Evaluate the methodology as a whole. Would you adopt it for your own research?