This volume interrogates the popularity of problematic theories in the study of Africa and Africans in the 21st century. The book provides ethnographic and intellectual material for scholars seeking to rethink and reimagine a number of externally imposed theories used (un-)consciously in Africa, with the intention of raising awareness and fostering critical thinking amongst scholars theorising Africa. With its theorising focus and contributors drawn from diverse disciplines and geographical locations, the book is both a pacesetter on how to think, research and theorise Africa, and an invaluable asset for social scientists, development practitioners, civil society activists and leaders in the politics and economy of everyday life on the continent. It poses an invitation to those seeking to re-embrace and reconnect with theory as an indispensable ingredient and determinant of quality in critical production and consumption of knowledge on Africa and of relevance to Africans.

Myrdal described this book as a discussion of three key notions in economic theory: the ideas of value, freedom, and collective house-keeping. It is through these concepts, he charged, that political ideology has been intro-duced into economic theory. This volume continues to be relevant in its emphasis on the problem of objectivity in the social sciences.

What Is Political Theory? provides students with a comprehensive overview of the current state of the discipline. Eleven substantive chapters address the most pressing topics in political theory today, including: - what resources do the classic texts still provide for political theorists? - what areas will political theorists focus on in the future? - can western political theory alone continue to provide a framework for responding to the challenges of modern political life? The authors assess the intellectual challenges to conventional political theory, such as post-structuralism and the scientific study of politics, that have revitalized the field in the last 30 years. They also broaden the perspective to take in non-western ideas and to reconceptualize political theory in the light of specifically global challenges. Students and teachers of political theory and political philosophy will find this book invaluable in understanding the factors that have shaped current political theory and which will guide its future development.

Theory and Nursing offers a comprehensive yet concise exploration of nursing theory and its development, providing a solid foundation for an understanding of the nature of nursing. Emphasizing the intrinsic relationships between theory and the functional aspects of research and practice, this book prepares the student not only for the study of nursing science but for the work of nursing itself. The fourth edition includes an updated discussion of the emergence of nursing theory, reflecting recent developments in midrange nursing theory. This book employs a questioning approach to the concepts of nursing theory, engaging the reader to critically examine the assumptions underlying those concepts as well as to construct a personal framework of nursing knowledge. The language of this edition has been clarified to make the concepts more accessible, and the new edition employs a shift in language from the terminology of the traditional scientific method to care-based language appropriate to the science of nursing. Each definition in the glossary of terms includes page references to the text, thus aiding the reader in developing a comfortable familiarity with the terminology. Extensively revised references and bibliography provide guidance for readers as they learn to formulate and test their own theories of nursing. Updated appendices overview both the historical perspective of the major nursing theories and the current trend toward practice-based theory.end t ë0.

This study is a critical commentary connecting issues of development with the latest thinking in sociology, critical theory and social science. It addresses questions such as the connections with globalization, and culture and modernity.

Apply the five patterns of knowing to improve patient care! Knowledge Development in Nursing: Theory and Process, 10th Edition helps you understand nursing theory and its links with nursing research and practice. It examines the principles of knowledge development, from the relationship between patterns of knowing to their use in evidence-based nursing care. Written by nursing educators Peggy Chinn and Maeona Kramer, this unique book is updated with new examples from clinical practice. Coverage of the five Patterns of Knowing includes empiric, personal, aesthetic, ethical, and emancipatory knowledge, defining the different types of knowledge and how they relate to each other. Full-color map in the book and online animation depict how the patterns of knowing are related. Think About It questions sharpen your understanding of the emancipatory knowing process of praxis - a synthesis of thoughtful reflection, caring, and action. Discussion of evidence-based practice provides examples of how the five patterns of knowing may be applied to nursing practice. Interpretive summaries highlight the interrelatedness of all patterns of knowing, making it easier to master all dimensions of knowing. A glossary defines the key terms and concepts of nursing theory. NEW! Updated real-life examples bring complex concepts to life. NEW! Embedded prompts promote understanding and reflection: Why is this important?, Consider this, Imagine this, and Discuss this.

Looking at the roots of contemporary political theory, this three-volume set examines the global landscape of all the key theories and the theorists behind them, and provides concise, to-the-point definitions of key concepts, ideas, schools and figures.