When Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center was first published in 1984, it was welcomed and praised by feminist thinkers who wanted a new vision. Even so, individual readers frequently found the theory "unsettling" or "provocative." Today, the blueprint for feminist movement presented in the book remains as provocative and relevant as ever. Written in hooks's characteristic direct style, Feminist Theory embodies the hope that feminists can find a common language to spread the word and create a mass, global feminist (...) movement. (shrink)

In childhood, bell hooks was taught that "talking back" meant speaking as an equal to an authority figure and daring to disagree and/or have an opinion. In this collection of personal and theoretical essays, hooks reflects on her signature issues of racism and feminism, politics and pedagogy. Among her discoveries is that moving from silence into speech is for the oppressed, the colonized, the exploited, and those who stand and struggle side by side, a gesture of defiance that heals, making (...) new life and new growth possible. (shrink)

The first part of this book examines theoretical considerations, the second methodologies and the third feminist criminology in action. The book aims to show the potential of feminism to transform and transgress both theory and the politics of research and action in criminology.

A new collection of critical essays from bell hooks takes as its theme the deep longing for a critical voice. I explore some motifs that operate across the divergent topics of her essays. She writes of the dangers of commodification, of "reassuring" images, of individualism. I also explore the paths of hooks's uniquely black postmodernism: her critique of various essentialisms, her philosophically important conception of subjectivity, and her beautiful and powerful transformations of multiple discourses.

In the past decade the central principles of western feminist theory have been dramatically challenged. many feminists have endorsed post-structuralism's rejection of essentialist theoretical categories, and have added a powerful gender dimension to contemporary critiques of modernity. Earlier 'women' have been radically undermined, and newer concerns with 'difference', 'identity', and 'power' have emerged. Destabilizing Theory explores these developments in a set of specially commissioned essays by feminist theorists. Does this change amount to a real shift within feminist theory, or will (...) feminism's links with an emancipatory modernism reinstate an older political agenda? Can we transcend the common counterposition of equality and difference, or is feminism condemned to argue within the terms of this binary opposition? (shrink)

Stanley is co-editor of the journal Sociology, published by the British Sociological Association.

Women's studies is a rapidly expanding field with a tremendous growth in the number of London courses available. As a result of this there has been increasing debate about the nature of feminist research. Can a specifically feminist methodology be identified? Which research methods are most appropriate in feminist work? What is the difference between a feminist approach and other forms of scholarship.; "Researching Women's Lives" explores these issues by focusing on the dynamics of doing research, rather than engaging in (...) a theoretical discussion about research techniques. Feminists are now involved in exploring a whole range of wider issues concerned with practical, political and ethical matters in undertaking research. In addition to issues such as violence, sexuality, political activity and popular culture, contributors also examine the impact of race, class, sexual orientation and age. (shrink)

"A stellar cast of authors discuss and describe feminist research, reflecting the state of feminist discourse in sociology.... its high quality makes it a must in sociology and women's studies collections." —Choice "... empowering... thought-provoking... " —Gender & Society "... a valuable addition to the literature on feminism and method that reveals important discrepancies and shared themes in its chapters." —Contemporary Sociology In this interdisciplinary collection of articles by internationally recognized feminist scholars, the authors examine efforts to apply feminist principles (...) to the research act. Each stage of the research process is examined, from sampling techniques to mass media packaging and marketing of feminist research. The essays address both abstract philosophical questions and the more practical ways theories are translated into feminist inquiry. (shrink)

This volume presents accounts of research work undertaken by sociologists who have been influenced by feminism or the feminist critique of sociology, or both.

What are the implications of contemporary feminism for sociological theory? In this volume, leading feminist researchers consider these implications, focusing on: the feminist critique and re-evaluation of existing theories; new concepts and areas of research; interdisciplinary linkages; and the creation of a new sociological paradigm. Contributors highlight the important feminist theoretical work which has remained outside of sociological theory, and argue for its inclusion into the mainstream. As such this book is a much needed contribution to the literature in sociological (...) theory, and feminist studies. (shrink)