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Understanding Social Divisions
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Understanding Social Divisions


Other Titles in:
Sociology (General)

February 2005 | 352 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
The study of social divisions has dominated research within the social sciences since the nineteenth century. Early stratification categories of class, race, and gender, have in more recent years been joined by issues such as sexuality and disability. Understanding Social Divisions addresses the full range of social divisions in one volume while also considering the nature of social division in itself, in a comprehensive and accessible overview.

Shaun Best: outlines and evaluates theories and research from a long historical period

looks at how social divisions influence the formation of identity and `the other'; discusses the mechanisms that are drawn upon to maintain social divisions; considers how solidarity is maintained given that most people in society may feel in some way divided from the rest of society; and, explores how individuals place themselves within the social divisions of class, gender, sex and sexuality, race and ethnic diversity, disability and mental illness.

The concluding chapter explores the role of the State in the processes of social division, in areas such as: asylum, citizenship, childhood, old age, disease and policing of terrorism.

This book is essential reading for students of social divisions from a wide variety of social science backgrounds.

 
Introduction
Placing Myself in the Social Divisions

 
 
Class Division
 
Disability and Mental Illness
 
Race, Racism and Ethnic Diversity
 
Gender and Sexuality
 
State Sponsored Social Divisions
 
Conclusions

This is a very useful and accessible text for students to begin their investigation and understanding of social divisions. The chapter outlines, activities and summary section make this is book a useful guide to further extend learning.

The chapter on state-sponsored social divisions is particularly important.

Miss Tracy Ramsey
Social Work Department, Liverpool Hope University
May 9, 2014

A good book for understanding social divisions for the criminology student.

Miss Frances Jackson
Public Services, Peterborough Regional College
January 11, 2012

The Chapter on 'Disability and Mental Illness' in particular is very appropriate reading for the students in our Intellectual Disability Module. It clearly describes the paradigm shift from a medical model to a social model of disability and gives a well laid out summary of international laws in this area.

Ms Hazel Killeen
Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway
September 21, 2011

A comprehensive and detailed account of social divisions. I will recommend it to my third years.

Dr Stephen Brown
School of Applied Social Sciences, Brighton University
July 12, 2011

A good text which gives students an understanding of British Social divisions

Ms Edith Lewis
Social Work, Community and Mental Health, Canterbury Christ Church University
May 7, 2010

For instructors

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ISBN: 9780761942979
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