Encyclopedia of Community

Editor/Author: Christensen, Karen and Levinson, David
Publication Year: 2003
Publisher: Sage Publications

ISBN: 978-0-7619-2598-9
Category: social sciences
Image Count: 106
Book Status: Available

The Encyclopedia of Community, a major reference work that summarizes the many fascinating and important concepts of a global topic. Community itself is a concept, an experience, and a central part of being human. The Encyclopedia can also be viewed topically via a Reader's Guide. This allows for interdisciplinary "compare and contrast" among topics such as types of communities, social capital, technology, urban life, politics and law, community design, and global studies.

This book is found in the following Credo Collections:

See what others are saying:

Incredibly, this is the first encyclopedia to focus on community as concept and experience, so stands alone in its field as the one title any library must buy to cover this topic. It does not concern itself only with alternative or intentional communities, as readers might expect. The "Reader's Guide" in volume 1 classifies entries under 20 categories (many under more than one) that indicate the work's broad scope--e.g., "Activism and Social Transformation," "Biographies," "Communities, Affinity," "Communities, Primordial," "Internet and Communities," "Rural Life," "Social Capital," "Urban and Suburban Life." Volume 1 also lists entries alphabetically along with the numerous sidebars that dot the volumes (e.g., "Virtual Visits to International Communities in Russia and Eastern Europe" with the entry, "Intentional Communities in Russia and Eastern Europe"). Lists of further readings follow entries. An appendix, "Resource Guides," repeated at the end of each volume, includes lists of relevant organizations, books and Web sites, and journals for selected topics. Volume 4 has the index for the set and appendixes, "Libraries Build Community" (the library as meeting place, community bulletin board center, and provider of information resources on health, employment, and other subjects that build community); "Community in Popular Culture" (an annotated list of fiction and nonfiction, plays, movies, television and radio programs, and music); and an invaluable "Master Bibliography of Community" (p. 1611-1734). The scope sprawls, and some information in the appendixes is overly repetitious, but the overall level of the work far outweighs these reservations.
C. Hendershott,
New School University
The Encyclopedia of Community, in four volumes, combines the organizational and editorial expertise of Karen Christensen and David Levinson with the knowledge of 399 contributors from 18 countries to create a research tool that contains 500 entries, 266 extensive primary-text sidebars, 4 major appendixes of 150,000 words, more than 100 visuals, and an index. Entries range in length from 500 to 6,000 words, each complete with references, compiled by visible scholars from many major institutions. Of interest is appendix 1, "Resource Guides," which prepares the student and scholar for additional research. This appendix is topically divided; cross-referenced with encyclopedia entries; and lists books, Websites, journals, and community organizations.The Encyclopedia of Community accomplishes its objectives by addressing four fundamental questions: "How have people experienced community, throughout history and around the world?"; "How are communities different from other kinds of groups and associations?"; "Are we really 'bowling alone,' or have we found new forms of community thanks to widespread mobility and the Internet?"; and "Have cars and television destroyed our sense of community?" The scope of this work ranges from community in ancient history to community in popular culture (e.g., television shows, movies). Topics include various types of communities, biographies, case studies, human development, and social capital, to mention a few. The 237 pages of appendixes and article resources make it a valuable tool for the serious researcher, the student of "community," and the teacher or college professor.The Encyclopedia of Community is sociologically technical; for example, the entry on "Conflict Theory" states "Conflict theory tries to classify and describe the types of conflicts that exist (for example, in terms of whether they are productive or destructive). It then attempts to explain the ways in which conflict proceeds or is structured (both by internal and external forces) and how it can be managed or resolved" (p. 323). Because the writing is clear and direct and the volumes have a textbook style to which students have grown accustomed, the Encyclopedia of Community is a major resource for high school through college and graduate students. Consider the explanation contained in the following statement: "Even those who generally approve of conflict resolution processes are concerned that the animating principles of conflict resolution may be distorted, as when, for example, a voluntary and consensual process such as mediation or arbitration becomes mandatory. (This can happen when a contract requires people to use a particular dispute resolution process or when courts require disputants to go to mediation before getting a trial.)" (p. 322). The extensive list of entries, many sidebars using primary references, the reader's guide, the comprehensive introduction, and resources give the Encyclopedia of Community completeness and depth, and provide the student, social scientist, and historian an essential tool for many and multiple uses.
Joseph P. Hester
SRO-Learning, Claremont, N.C.