Community is a key concept in sociology. In the last decade, especially with the explosion of electronic communication, the definition of community has changed. Currently there are many books that address many aspects of community, but there is a lack of text that "connects" the concept of community with the range of issues from the macro level to the micro level. This book discusses the rationale for community, the varieties of communities, the effect of social change on communities, and many other factors of connectedness as the costs for losing it.

Inhalt

Social Connections.- Conceptions of Community: Past and Present.- Common Ties: Immigrant and Ethnic Communities.- Fragmented Ties: The Poor and The Homeless.- Communities in Crisis: Reconnecting Frayed Social Ties.- Communities of Exclusion and Excluded Communities: Barriers to Neighboring.- Connections of Faith: Religion as Community.- Vital Bonds: Social Support, Social Networks and Health.- The Social Internet: Cybercommunities.- Solitary Communities: Disconnecting From the Common Good.- Notes.- References.- Index.