Free Cultural Studies Essay Examples & Topics

Free Cultural Studies Essay Examples & Topics

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546 samples

There is a field in academia that analyzes the interactions between anthropological, political, aesthetic, and socioeconomic institutions. It is referred to as cultural studies. This area is interdisciplinary, meaning that it combines and examines several departments. First brought up by British scientists in the 1950s, it is now studied all over the world.

The scope of cultural studies is vast. From history and politics to literature and art, this field looks at how culture is shaped and formed. It also examines the complex interactions of race and gender and how they shape a person’s identity.

In this article, our team has listed some tips and tricks on how to write a cultural studies essay. You will encounter many fascinating aspects in this field that will be exciting to study. That is the reason why we have prepared a list of cultural studies essay topics. You can choose one that catches your eye right here! Finally, you will also find free sample essays that you can use as a source of inspiration for your work.

15 Top Cultural Studies Essay Topics

The work process on an essay begins with a tough choice. After all, there are thousands of things that you can explore. In the list below, you will find cultural studies topics for your analytical paper.

  1. The role of human agency in cultural studies and how research techniques are chosen.
  2. Examining generational changes through evolution in music and musical taste in young adults.
  3. Does popular culture have the power to influence global intercultural and political relationships?
  4. Different approaches to self-analysis and self-reflection examined through the lens of philosophy.
  5. Who decides what constitutes a “cultural artifact”?
  6. The difference in religious and cultural practices between Japanese and Chinese Buddhists.
  7. Exploring the symbiotic relationship between culture and tradition in the UK.
  8. Do people understand culture nowadays the same way they understood it a century ago?
  9. Which factors do we have to take into account when conducting arts and culture research of ancient civilizations?
  10. Día de Los Muertos: a commentary on an entirely different perspective on death.
  11. American society as represented in popular graphic novels.
  12. An analysis of the different approaches to visual culture from the perspective of a corporate logo graphic designer.
  13. What can French cinema of the 20th century tell us about the culture of the time?
  14. Narrative storytelling in different forms of media: novels, television, and video games.
  15. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the direction of pop culture.

In case you haven’t found your perfect idea in the list, feel free to try our title generator. It will compose a new topic for your cultural studies essay from scratch.

How to Write a Cultural Studies Essay

With an ideal topic for your research, you start working on your cultural analysis essay. Below you will find all the necessary steps that will lead you to write a flawless paper.

  1. Pick a focus. You cannot write an entire essay on the prospect of culture alone. Thus, you need to narrow down your field and the scope of your research. Spend some time reading relevant materials to decide what you want your paper to say.
  2. Formulate your thesis. As the backbone of your assignment, it will carry you through the entire process. Writing a thesis statement brings you one step closer to nailing the whole essay down. Think “What is my paper about?” and come up with a single sentence answer – this will be your statement.
  3. Provide context for your intro. The introduction is the place for setting the scene for the rest of your paper. Take time to define the terminology. Plus, you should outline what you will talk about in the rest of the essay. Make sure to keep it brief – the introduction shouldn’t take up longer than a paragraph.
  4. Develop your ideas in the body. It is the place for you to explore the points you’re trying to make. Examine both sides of the argument and provide ample evidence to support your claims. Don’t forget to cite your sources!
  5. Conclude the paper effectively. The final part is usually the hardest, but you don’t need to make it too complicated. Summarize your findings and restate your thesis statement for the conclusion. Make sure you don’t bring in any new points or arguments at this stage.
  6. Add references. To show that you’re not pulling your ideas out of thin air, cite your sources. Add a bibliography at the end to prove you’ve done your research. You will need to put them in alphabetical order. So, ensure you do that correctly.

Thank you for reading! Now, you can proceed to read through the examples of essays about cultural studies that we provided below.

545 Best Essay Examples on Cultural Studies

“Never Marry a Mexican”: Theme Analysis & Summary

She then went on to the University of Iowa's Writers' Workshop and got a Master of Fine Arts degree, followed by the 1991 publication of short stories, including "Never Marry a Mexican," in Woman Hollering [...]
  • 5
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 2244

Indian Custom and Culture Community

For example, there were various activities used to illustrate this marking, and these would include invitation and welcoming of the bridegroom, exchange of flower garlands, presentation of the would-be wife, the ceremony of the sacred [...]
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2207

Culture, Subculture, and Their Differences

The different activities that people across the world engage in lead to the existence of different. When people develop negative impressions of the activities that their society undertakes they are said to be in a [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1157

Nok Culture’s Main Characteristic Features

One of the most significant pieces of art is the Nok art, a testament of the Nok culture. Discovery of the sculptures in 1943 indicate the use of iron, the practice of smelting for tools [...]
  • 3.6
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1483

Comparing the US and Italian Cultures

This dimension refers to the degree to which the people operating in that culture wish to work as individuals overworking as part of a team Masculinity vs.femininity. This dimensions refers to the extent to which [...]
  • Pages: 12
  • Words: 2217

The United States of America’s Culture

These are however just general views on what the American culture really is, the next section of this paper will go to the specifics, and zero in into the following factors that determine the true [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1367

Impact of Globalization on the Maasai Peoples` Culture

This essay will therefore focus on the roles the aforementioned forces have played in changing the culture of the Maasai. Moreover, tourism has resulted in environmental degradation which is putting the Maasai on the brink [...]
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1736

Kazakhstani Culture Through Hofstede’s Theory

The purpose of the research paper is to discuss cultural similarities and dissimilarities, challenges of acculturation, helpful patterns of behavior, and look at the featured culture through the prism of Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory.
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1480

Society, Culture, and Civilization

Thus, culture is a flexible feature of non-animal communities that penetrates their subsistence and helps to adjust to the surroundings. The last concept, civilization, is the consequence of the constant changes of the first two [...]
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 402

Taiwan and the U.S. Cultural Elements

An evaluation of the cultural differences between Taiwan and the US is conducted in an effort to develop a comprehensive understanding of the cultural variation between the two countries.
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2265

Culture and Development in Nigeria

The following are some of the organizations that are concerned with cultural developments in Nigeria:- The African development bank is involved in major activities in the water sector and in sanitation projects across Nigeria.
  • 5
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2718

Non-Material and Material Culture

Material and non-material aspects of culture differ primarily based on the focus of the two approaches. In the case of religion, the existence of non-physical languages, values, norms, and symbols is especially significant.
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 314

The Luo Culture of Kenya

The Luo people are the indigenous people of Kenya living around lake Victoria, which lies in the western part of the country.
  • Pages: 22
  • Words: 3544

Ugandan Culture, Traditions, Holidays

During the days of mourning, the neighbors and relatives are not allowed to engage in any form of manual work: this is meant to be a consolation signal to the deceased's relatives.
  • 1
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 577

Cultural Appropriation: Christina Aguilera in Braids

The utilization of elements and objects of non-dominant groups in a way that depicts a lack of respect for the original meaning, and lack of acknowledgment reinforces stereotyping and results in oppression.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 606

Ballads and Their Social Functions

Ballads revolved around the deeds of the community, description and ridicule or appreciation of the daily activities that occupied their lives.
  • Pages: 12
  • Words: 3314

Saudi Traditional Clothing

Over the years, the age-old designs of the traditional attires have been modified to reflect the changing tastes and preference in the contemporary society.
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 1815

Similarities of Asian Countries

Thus, the earliest form of civilization in Asia provided a system of interaction prompting harmonization of culture in the Asian society.
  • 4
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2356

The Importance of Cultural Values for a Society

It is possible to identify significant differences between the two cultures by comparing and contrasting the cultural values of Americans and Dominicans in religion, risk-taking and egalitarianism, and individual achievement and action.
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 863

Pashtun Culture: Cultural Presentation

This presentation will overview one of such groups – the Pashtun culture and the challenges a nurse may face working with its representatives.
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 1083

Asian Community’s Cultural Values and Attitudes

This means that the male gender is dominant in the community, and authority or leadership is inherited from one family or clan, and the problem of one household is the problem of the whole community.
  • Pages: 18
  • Words: 4933

“High” and “Low” Culture in Design

It will defend the view according to which the distinctions between popular culture and 'low' culture are no longer relevant since the emergence of amiddle culture'.'High' culture can be defined from the perspective of those [...]
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2560

Plants in Lakota Folklore

Notice that the source of the creatures that he placed on the earth is his sacred pipe bag, and the symbol of interpersonal harmony and harmony with all of creation is the sacred pipe. In [...]
  • Pages: 14
  • Words: 3727

American Born Chinese’s Cultural Dilemma

Therefore, the focus of the research is to assess the cultural dilemma that the American born Chinese face in America. Many respondents highlighted that this makes the American born Chinese to possess bicultural behaviors of [...]
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2146

Chinese Traditional Festivals and Culture

Of all the Chinese festivals, the Spring Festival has the greatest value to the Chinese people with its value equated to the value of the Westerners attachment to Christmas.
  • 5
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2763

History of Mexican Festival

The experience of attending the Mexican festival stretched my cultural perception as I discovered that Mexicans have a rich culture in terms of food, art, and music.
  • 4.3
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 489

What Role Does Food Play in Cultural Identity?

From the point of view of cultural studies, such a model of nutrition speaks more about the absence of global roots, the absence of deep moral guidelines, and not about the convenience of the process.
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1199

A Scarf as a Cultural Metaphor

During the rule of the Chinese Emperor Cheng, the scarves were a part of the military uniform and were worn to demonstrate the rank of the military personnel in Croatia in the 17th century.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 605

Indian Culture, Food, Temples, and Clothing

Key Terms: Traditional dresses, Indian fashion, saree, headgear Claim: Despite the inevitable impact of globalization and westernization, India is a country that could preserve its culture by wearing traditional clothes. It is normal to see [...]
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 1035

The History of the Hippie Cultural Movement

It is the evolution of the Hippie culture followed by the formation of the Hippie Subculture. The agitation and opposition to contemporary activities is the one of the main reasons that led to the formation [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1485

Punjabi: the Culture

However, this is not the whole list and there are many religions which are pursued in small regions of the area.
  • 5
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 551

Cultural Change: Mechanisms and Examples

Their interactions led to a massive change in the norms and traditions of the African communities. This is where a weaker society adapts to the culture of another community that is powerful.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 595

Meaning of Culture and Its Importance

In turn, the Internet as a way of collecting and transmitting information is included in the structure of modern culture as its most crucial element.
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 311

Fashion Impact on International Students in London

The proposal looks at the personal experiences of a small group of international students living and studying in London, utilizing first-hand accounts of how they make sense of their university experiences abroad and integrate them [...]
  • Pages: 13
  • Words: 3824

The History of Guqin in Chinese Culture

The name guqin was developed in the 20th century, and a prefix was added to the original name Qin to mean ancient and distinguish it from the other pianos. The instrument also defines the philosophy [...]
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1652

Anthropological Approach to Culture

Introduction There is probably no phenomenon or event that has as many focused views of researchers from around the world as a culture. It is this phenomenon that enjoys increased scientific popularity as anthropologists, sociologists, psychologists, and philosophers seek to understand what culture is. The diversity of research positions is justified by many accents that […]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 659

Celebrity Expression of Cultural Themes and Issues

The modern-day term 'celebrity' is dated back to about 1850, the time of the rise of mass media. The audiences of celebrities are an active and interactive social group that is served by the media [...]
  • Pages: 9
  • Words: 2754

Traditional and Nontraditional Cultures of the USA

The essay compares the traditional and nontraditional cultures of the United States. Therefore, the traditional culture and nontraditional cultures of the United States have distinct differences.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 306

The Importance of Cultural Research

Cultural research is often done to understand the dynamics and perception of a particular topic or question that may help improve government policies and boost businesses' marketing strategies.
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 290

Aspects of Anime and Manga

The specifics of it lie in a distinct drawing style which is only seen in anime, and the characteristics of the genre in terms of how different things are depicted in scenes.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 628

Muslim Culture: History, Values, Notions

With its focus on ethics, particularly, the necessity of catering to the needs of the disadvantaged, specifically, the elderly, Muslim culture is worth studying as the source of wisdom and a window into the worldview [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 576

Culture and Health Correlation

People's culture influences the type of food they purchase and the way they prepare it, which is a vital determinant of health.
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 342

Cultural Effects on Health Care Choices

Ann Hubbert of the University of Nevada argued that the healthcare profession must welcome and respect the existence of traditional practices, particularly the traditional Indian medicine, and recognize its role in healthcare and in the [...]
  • Pages: 12
  • Words: 3292

Implications of Korean Culture on Health

The Korean-American population is among the fastest growing race group in America's Asian community because of the string of immigration in the 1800s and subsequent importation of laborers to the Hawaiian plantations in the 1900s.
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1439

Bedouin Tent : Review and Analysis

As regards air circulation, it should be pointed out that Bedouins often made a vent-hole at the top of the tent; naturally, the major effect is achieved through the fabric, but this vent-hole serves some [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 601

The Impact of American Popular Culture on Society

It can also be perceived as the culture of the majority of people in the united states of America.culture can either be liked by a given group while strongly be opposed to another faction of [...]
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 857

Culture of the Dominican Republic

In the end, we attempt to relate the relationship between each aspect and the developments in politics, economics and social lives of the Dominicans.
  • 5
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2229

Globalization in the United Arab Emirates’ Culture

Despite the numerous economic advantages, globalization has impacted the traditions and culture of the Emirati people. The increased pressures of compliance attributed to globalization resulted in the Emirati society uniting in a bid to preserve [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 930

Folklore of Nova Scotia: Traditions and Culture

They are mostly related or associated with the traditions behind the day to day lives of the members of the community. The Acadians and Micmac Indians were some of the earliest inhabitants of the land.
  • Pages: 8
  • Words: 2287

The Jarawa People and Their Culture

One of the most interesting areas of study not only to the anthropologists but also to the modern and contemporary human race is culture.
  • 5
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1438

Filial Piety

In trying to understand the reasoning behind the concept of Filial Piety, it is necessary to see the inherent divergence between the Western nuclear family and the Chinese extended family.
  • 4
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1120

Culture and Change in Brazil

Residents of the country have their origins from all the four corners of the world. The subsequent arrival of the Japanese and Middle Eastern immigrants increased the racial diversity of the country.
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 828

Stuart Hall’s Theory of Encoding and Decoding

There are three forms of associating with other people, according to the authors of Stuart Hall's theory of hegemonic reading: dominant-hegemonic reading, negotiated reading, and oppositional reading.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 584

Cultural Identity Case Study

Henceforth, this case study will consider the example of a girl who belongs to the culture of American Indians and Pacific Islanders and at the same time has problems with cultural identity.
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 1943

The Transnational Villagers by Peggy Levitt

As in the case of the US, the migrant communities actively participate in the political, social, and economic activities in America and do the same in their homelands.
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1748

African Folktales as a Reflection of Culture

Just like other cultures of the world, African culture is reflected through its folklore, the tales that have profound meaning and give insights into the belief system and norms of the African community.
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 849

African American Heritage and Culture

After the abolishment of slave trade, and the subsequent abolishment of segregation laws, African Americans attained full citizenship in America.
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 887

The Body Ritual Among the Nacirema

The author is extremely ethnocentric because he is very judgmental of the values that are important to these people. The laptiso is a hospital, and a shrine is a bathroom.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 325

Cultural Background: Personal Journey

This work explains my racial and ethnical background, the challenges I have gone through, effects of these challenges and the necessary measures that I have taken to improve my profession as a counselor.
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 880

Indigenous Australian Culture, History, Importance

I also learned the history of indigenous Australians' abuse by White settlers, which contributed to the fact that even today, the majority of native Australians lag behind Whites in terms of what accounts for the [...]
  • Pages: 11
  • Words: 2102

The Culture of Irish American People

In addition to that, migration from cities and cultural enclaves to suburbs and rural areas, greater participation in the public schools with multiple cultures attending, and a considerable reduction of immigrants from Ireland led to [...]
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1389

What Is Chinese Culture?

Chinese culture is one of the oldest cultures, as evidenced by the presence of numerous writings from the past, highlighting some of the elements of the culture.
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1493

Polygamy in Islam

Muslim men in polygamous marriages should be kind to their women. Nonetheless, many Muslim men are unable to comply with the rules of Islamic polygamy.
  • 5
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 806

Saudi Arabian Culture

In this view, observation of Islamic beliefs, norms, values, and traditions enables people to understand the Saudi Arabian culture and adopt it.
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1486

Islamic Civilization and Culture: The 7th Century

The 7th Century marked the beginning of the implementation of trade and tax measures as defining elements of the Muslim state as the centralized empire began its transformation into a nominal confederation.
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1662

The Māori Culture of New Zealand

The ancestral home of the M ori and all Polynesians is the island of Taiwan near mainland China. One of the critical ideas of M ori philosophy is the unity of man and nature.
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1326

Researching of Rituals in Culture

The culture of a community manifests itself primarily in a specific self-organization, in forms that are not similar to the forms of other communities.
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1174

Arabs: Cultural Immersion Experience

The sound is typically produced by women obtained due to the rapid movement of the tongue left and right and a loud exclamation at the end. The mosque is both a religious and a social [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 977

Arranged Marriages in India

According to Bertolani, marriage in Indian society is strictly arranged by the parents of potential marriage partners and does not necessarily have to involve love. Thus, arranged marriage in the context of Indian society is [...]
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 396

Cultural Competence: Purnell Model

The following Project is the positive and diligent output of the clear and fair learning and understanding of the Purnell Model in the classroom.
  • Pages: 29
  • Words: 7928

Culture and Early Civilization: Major Forces of a New Culture

Civilization, on the other hand, refers to the transition of these cultural ways over generations to complexity and modernization. Because of the increased population, people developed the art of agriculture to avoid long distances in [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 620

African American Family Cultural Background

They have a unique culture that is characterized by a unique parenting style, structure of the family, the role of gender in the family, and their views on marriage.
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1441

The Transformation of Caribbean Carnival Celebrations

However, due to the migration from the Caribbean and the formation of large Caribbean communities in the US, Canada, and European countries, the carnivals were transformed and helped the diaspora shape its sense of identity.
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 854
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