Understanding Social Divisions
- Shaun Best - University of Manchester, UK
Sociology (General)
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.
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.
A good book for understanding social divisions for the criminology student.
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.
A comprehensive and detailed account of social divisions. I will recommend it to my third years.
A good text which gives students an understanding of British Social divisions
