Key Concepts in Community Studies

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. -- Peter Bramham
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
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. -- Dr Jennifer Lavia * drupal *
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. -- Dr John Stitt * drupal *
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) -- Dr Jytte Agergaard * drupal *
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. -- Dr Rebecca Schaaf * drupal *
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. -- Dr Robin Mann * drupal *
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. -- Dr Tim Corcoran * drupal *
A good comprehensive account for our community entrepreneur students -- Frankie Williams * drupal *
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. -- Miss Andrea Walker * drupal *
Really useful theoretical overview of debates surrounding ′community′. Excellent section on community as policy and practice. -- Miss Janine Partington * drupal *
A very impressive text, which offers a comprehensive introduction to the key concepts of community studies. It is highly informative, yet written in an accessible manner. An excellent text for students new to the subject area, as it will introduce them to, and help them understand some of the complexities associated with this subject area. A highly recommended addition to community studies literature. -- Miss Kate Mori * drupal *
key concepts and ideas are bought up to date and encourage teacher and student alike to reflect on their understandings of ′community′. -- Mr David Raper * drupal *
a key introductory guide -- Mr Richard Kotter * drupal *
This book provides useful background reading for my students. -- Mrs Catherine White * drupal *
very good text book for community studies not many books in this field -- Mrs Margaret Gough * drupal *
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. -- Ms Kirsten Stevens-Wood * drupal *
perfect for our community work module -- Ms Laura Green * drupal *
An excellant resource for the Community Studies and Youth & Community degrees - This book is essential reading for students studying at the University of Bolton as itprovides insight into up-to-date concepts. -- Ms Paula Connaughton * drupal *
This book was reccommended as part of the bibliography for the course on \Diagnóstico Territorial" rather than "Laboratório de Projecto I". This book is a highly interesting resource for any student in Social Sciences but I saw 2 difficulties in adopting it for "Laboratório de Projecto I": it is not an elementary approach for second year students and it does not contain images or case studies, which makes it harder to adopt for design students.
The nature of the subject "Diagnóstico Territorial" is in itself more theoretical and the students are at a Master′s level (3rd semester) and come from various backgrounds which enables them to be more prepared to engage in such a specific and detailed bibliographic resource. -- Professor Catarina Camarinhas * drupal *