{"product_id":"sexing-the-self-clear-thoughtful-gender-theory-elspeth","title":"Sexing the Self - Clear, Thoughtful Gender Theory Elspeth","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Sexing the Self the reviewer finds a thoughtful, reflective exploration of gendered embodiment that will appeal to readers seeking nuanced feminist theory rather than quick answers. Elspeth Probyn writes for scholars and serious students who want an argument about how to use the personal to theorize non-essential but embodied selves; the single biggest reason to buy is the book's careful linking of Cultural Studies, identity debates and Foucault to show practical ways of theorizing the gendered self. This review evaluates clarity, scope and usefulness for classroom and research reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Probyn draws on strands from early Cultural Studies to Anglo-American feminist criticism to place the sex of the self in a broad intellectual context.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEngagement with identity debates:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book offers a sustained discussion of identity arguments that helps readers see how the personal can be a source of critical insight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse of Foucault:\u003c\/strong\u003e The author brings Foucault's notion of the care of the self into dialogue with feminist concerns, offering a concrete resource for theorizing self-practice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeminisms with attitude:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text advocates non-essential, embodied approaches to gender, useful for students wanting alternatives to essentialist accounts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiverse source base:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book integrates literary criticism and cultural theory to support cross-disciplinary classroom discussion and research references.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSexing the Self is best for undergraduate and graduate students in Gender Studies and Cultural Studies, feminist scholars looking for a nuanced interrogation of selfhood, and lecturers assembling seminar readings on embodiment and identity. Researchers who value cross-references between literary criticism and social theory will find the book particularly fertile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking an introductory textbook with step-by-step definitions or a popular overview of gender issues should look elsewhere; this is a theoretical, argumentative work that expects some prior familiarity with key debates in feminism and Cultural Studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear synthesis of diverse theoretical strands makes it a reliable reference for seminars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThoughtful use of the author's own positionality provides a model for non-essentialist embodied critique.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEngages with both identity debates and Foucault, expanding the reader's toolkit for analysis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe book is theoretical and compact, so readers wanting expansive empirical examples or an introductory primer may find it dense.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSexing the Self\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eElspeth Probyn\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGendered selves and feminist theory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKey influences\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCultural Studies, feminist literary criticism, Foucault\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents and scholars in Gender Studies and Cultural Studies\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTheoretical, non-essentialist, embodied critique\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSexing the Self is a compact, intellectually rich book that rewards readers prepared for theoretical argument. It is good value for students and scholars who need a concise synthesis linking Cultural Studies, identity debates and Foucault to feminist questions of embodiment; those seeking a more introductory or heavily empirical text should supplement it with case studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book use personal examples?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Probyn turns to the personal and the self as a site for theorizing gender without endorsing essentialist definitions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs prior theory knowledge required?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome familiarity with feminist debates and Cultural Studies will help readers engage fully with the book's arguments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it suitable for course reading?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Its concise chapters and broad theoretical links make it suitable for graduate seminars and upper-level undergraduate courses.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Elspeth Probyn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48251483291867,"sku":"0415073553","price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61MC7a4fheL._SL1360.jpg?v=1770885419","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/sexing-the-self-clear-thoughtful-gender-theory-elspeth","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}