For better or worse, modernism and postmodernism are now the two most comprehensive and influential terms applied to twentieth-century culture. The Postmodern Arts begins by establishing definitions of both words, while also demonstrating the inconsistencies and contradictions which are inherent within them.

As with all books in the Critical Readers in Theory and Practice series, the volume is divided into two halves: the first, a comprehensive and thorough introduction by the editor, offering a schematic survey of the major themes and positions taken in the debates around modernism and postmodernism. The second is a collection of pertinent essays grouped into four sections to demonstrate how the debates have been applied to specific cultural activities:

* Popular Culture

* Architecture and Visual Arts

* Literature

* Documentary Film