Key Concepts in Community Studies
- Tony Blackshaw - Sheffield Hallam University, UK
SAGE Key Concepts series
This book defines the current identity of community studies, provides a critical but reliable introduction to its key concepts, and is an engaging guide to the key social research methods used by community researchers and practitioners.
Concise but clear, it caters for the needs of those interested in community studies by offering cross-referenced, accessible overviews of the key theoretical issues that have the most influence on community studies today.
It incorporates all of the important frames of reference including those which are:
- Theoretical
- Research focused
- Practice and policy oriented
- Political
- Concerned about the place of community in everyday life
The extensive bibliographies and up-to-date guides to further reading reinforce the aim of the book to provide an invaluable learning resource.
Interdisciplinary in approach and inventive in its range of applications this book will be of value to students studying sociology, social policy, politics and community development.
This book is both insightful and engaging, enriched with diverse and up-to-date readings. Tony Blackshaw lays bare debates surrounding the uses and abuses of key concepts of community studies and breathes new life into community as theory and community studies as method.
I would highly recommend this book to any student who is studying communities and groups in society. The book and chapters are structured in a way that students will find it easy to move from one theme to another; to dip into relevant chapters when needed; to gain a good understanding of concepts and how and why they are applied to individuals and communities. The book encompasses both breadth and depth of key concepts and issues. This book will be compulsory reading on our Community Studies degree.
The book presents the range of discourses around community and the study of community in times of globalisation and transnational experiences. It exposes the reader to theories of community in a reader friendly manner and positions the topic as a site of contestation. This is useful for students who are reading for degrees in community development/ studies because the text allows them to critically engage in the theoretical and practical issues of community in local and global settings.
A very comprehensive source for the University of Cumbria's Youth & Community Work programme of studies. It's biggest strength lies in its structured sequence: (a) moving from topical issues & controversies; (b) towards more conceptual discourse.
I recieved the book a bit late in relation to the start of this year's course - i'll consider using it as supplementary literature for this course next year and as recommended literature for our second year course in social geography (in the Spring semester)
A valuable book that is made very accessible by its organisation into short sections, with section outlines and links to other parts of the book. Good coverage of contemporary use and theories of community.
This is a very useful as an introductory book to students undertaking courses on the topic of community. I founds it's map like structure and links between themes and topics a particular strength. I don't think it provides enough depth and material to serve as a main text for community courses but certainly recommended reading. There are places where it is not as consistent as it should be. Some sections are a little vague and repetitive, and in certain cases the further reading suggestions seem a bit tangential or not up to date. These things said it is an extremely handy book.
A very good introduction to the concept of community and ways in which it can be researched. Being an introductory text and my programme a doctoral one, the text would not be recommended as other than supplementary. That said, it does provide a useful overview.
A good comprehensive account for our community entrepreneur students
Another good addition to the Key Concepts range of publications. A concise and easily accessible introduction to key issues in Community Studies and a good companion for new students.
