Social Studies--the Next Generation: Re-searching in the Postmodern

Drawing on postmodernism, poststructuralism, postcolonialism and feminist theories, contributors ask what will happen to the new studies in social science, and what will be the critical discourses. The 22 essays include ruminations on the postmodern, such as a study of bad girls in deviant subject positions, queering social education, reevaluating the public museum and identity, space and place in terms of identity, and the role of popular culture. Responses include questions about representation and reality, the invisible hand of theory, and Foucault, with afterwords about the problem of authority, visions and the construction of social service education. The result is an interesting take on what may happen in academia, if not in the public school classroom. Annotation c2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)