Key Concepts in Community Studies
- Tony Blackshaw - Sheffield Hallam University, UK
SAGE Key Concepts series
Human Geography (General) | Social Work & Social Policy (General) | Sociology (General)
- Peter Bramham, Leeds Metropolitan University
"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."
- Lesley Groom, University of Bolton
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.
A useful book that provides some really good analysis of the key areas in community studies.
The section on symbolic constructions is particular important for social work 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.
very good text book for community studies not many books in this field
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.
key concepts and ideas are bought up to date and encourage teacher and student alike to reflect on their understandings of 'community'.
This is a great book. It follows a logical order and lays out historical and modern theories on communities. As a lecturer delivering 'community' to students who are new to the subject, I have made this one of the essential books on their reading list.
