There has been an upsurge in scholarship concerned with theories of social practices in various fields including sociology, geography and management studies. This book provides a systematic introduction and overview of recent formulations of practice theory organised around three important themes: the importance of analysing the role of the non-human alongside the human; the reflexive nature of social science research; and the dynamics of social change. Combining a rich variety of detailed empirical research examples with discussion of the relevance of practice theories for policy and social change, this book represents an excellent sourcebook for all academic and professional researchers interested in working with practice theory.
Part I: Theoretical and Methodological Contributions to Practice Theories
1. Introduction: Using Practice Theory to Research Social Life, (Gert Spaargaren, Machiel Lamers and Don Weenink)
2. Practice Theory as Flat Ontology, (Theodore Schatzki)
3. The Methodological Challenges of Practicising Praxeology, (Robert Schmidt)
4. Emotional Agency Navigates a World of Practices, (Don Weenink and Gert Spaargaren)
Part II: Zooming in on Practices as Performances
5. Handling Things at Home: A Practice-Based Approach to Divestment, (Andrew Glover)
6. Praxeologizing Street Violence: An Attempt to Understand the Teleological and Normative-Affective Structure of Violent Situations, (Don Weenink)
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