Disability: Controversial Debates and Psychosocial Perspectives

by Deborah Marks

Overview

Deborah Marks examines current theories and practices relating to disability. The focus of the work is not disabled people as 'objects' of study but rather an analysis of disability as it has been historically and culturally constructed and psychically experienced. The chapters cover:
* language and discourse
* the disabled people's movement
* the 'disability' professions
* public policy
* unconscious investments and interpersonal relationships
* knowledge and the politics of disability.

This text will be essential reading for students on the growing number of Disability Studies courses, as well as students, policy-makers and professionals in social policy, social work, cultural studies and nursing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415162036
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/26/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	236
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Deborah Marks is course director of the MA in Disability Studies at the Centre for Psychotherapeutic Studies, University of Sheffield.

Table of Contents

Introduction; Chapter 1 Interdisciplinary studies, fragmented identities and psychic investments; Chapter 2 Valuing lives; Chapter 3 Medicine and its allied professions; Chapter 4 The social construction of disability; Chapter 5 Dynamics of care and control; Chapter 6 Causes, complexity and process of categorising ‘impairment’; Chapter 7 Does language disable people?; Chapter 8 Investments in images; Chapter 9 Closing comments;

Editorial Reviews

'This book is a welcome contribution to the field of critical writing on disability and disablement. It is sharp and insightful and challenging in its scope.' - Edge Hill University College

'Her work is incisive, succinct and very readable, providing an excellent and insightful grounding in central issues to readers new to the discipline, as well as those more aquainted with the issues at hand ... the appearence of this book decisively ushers in a new era in the development of critical disability studies.' - Brian Watermeyer, Psychoanalytic Studies

From the Publisher

Examines a range of theories and practices in relation to disability, focusing not on disabled people as "objects" of study, but rather on analysis of disability as it has been historically and culturally constructed and psychically experienced. Raises key questions about the organization of difference within a range of relationships, practices, and institutions, around categories of intellect, functional capacity, normality, and beauty. For students in social work, counseling, and disability studies. Marks is course director of the MA in Disability Studies at the University of Sheffield. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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