The presented textbook examines the main section of cultural studies - the theory of culture . The manual is a training complex, which includes: theoretical material, grouped into twelve topics; control questions to repeat the material under study; textbook texts for each topic with a list of questions for self-examination. Intended for students of all forms of education according to the educational program of the direction of preparation 20. 03. 01 Technosphere security, the focus (profile) "Engineering environmental protection", and can also be useful for all who are interested in the capabilities of man as the creator of modern culture