Using Foucault's Methods (Paperback)

by Dr Gavin Kendall (Author), Dr Gary M Wickham (Author), Gary Wickham (Author), Gavin Kendall (Author) "Inzammam, Jenny and Zeeha are all good students with a new-found passion for Foucault..." (more)
Key Phrases: gas fridge, electric fridge, scientific essentialism, The Care of the Self, General Electric, Sextus Empiricus (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
`As a companion to Foucault's original texts, carefully showing what he's done and why -- and how that could be applied elsewhere -- it's outstanding' - www.theory.org.uk

`Very much a `hands-on' tool kit of a book, scholarly but accessible.... a very useful textbook which approaches its subject in an original way' - Sociological Research Online

`At last, a student-friendly guide that answers the question: "Yes, but how do you do Foucault?" Kendall and Wickham address the thorny question of how-to-Foucault in a clear, distinctive manner that stands out in the secondary literature on this important thinker' - Toby Miller, New York University

Product Description
Using Foucault's Methods provides a clear, straightforward guide to those who want to apply the work of Foucault to their own field of interest.

The authors employ an accessible style to encourage readers to engage with Foucault's work (and other Foucaultian thought) by tackling those questions and issues that students often raise about his work. They are then shown the many ways Foucault's methods have been used in the analysis of social order.

The book is organized around the following themes: history, archaeology, genealogy and discourse as the cornerstones of Foucault's methods; and science and culture as important objects of analysis for those using Foucault's methods.

Using Foucault's Methods will dispel any possibility that Foucault might be seen as a mystical and impenetrable writer and enable the reader to understand how Foucault's contribution to social thought can be applied and open up possibilities for researchers to use Foucault rather than merely discuss him.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd; 1 edition (December 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761957170
• ISBN-13: 978-0761957171
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,349,175 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Foucault's Methods Revealed, June 3, 2000

By	Bradley Lister (Australia) - See all my reviews

Using Foucault's Methods is an excellent introduction to what is an extensive and complex methodology. Recent times has seen an explosion of work relating to Foucault and this book seeks to expose the foundations of what may be termed a Foucaultian methodology. Though Foucault rarely wrote about his methods in any detail this book has succeeded in introducing the many aspects of his thought in a concise, authoritative and easily understandable manner. I would recommend this work to anyone approaching the work of Foucault for the first time as it illuminates much of those aspects of Foucault's scholarship that people may find difficult. The book is formed by a great style of writing that encourages the reader to pause and absorb the details on a regular basis. The concluding pages of the book include a very useful further reading list, categorised by subject area. An excellent introduction to Foucaultian scholarship, best utilised in conjunction with Foucault's original works.

5.0 out of 5 stars Accessibility without condescension, July 1, 2009

By	J. Brophy (Orono, ME) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Using Foucault's Methods (Introducing Qualitative Methods series) (Paperback)

This is an accessible, succinct and easily digestible introduction to Foucauldian methods. Though written in a work-book style, with exercises to "try on your own," the authors remain intellectually diligent and avoid patronizing the reader. Strongly recommended for those struggling with applying Foucault in their own work (and who isn't?) The authors also work to maintain a cross- or inter-disciplinary collection of ideas and approaches. An excellent starting point or companion read to Foucault's works.