What is truth? Can it be discovered objectively, as science claims? Or is truth a created, highly contested and changing entity, lasting but a moment?

Is there more than one truth? Do we pursue truth or does it pursue us? Why have people sacrificed their lives for it? What is it about truth that can elicit such reactions?

In Rethinking Truth, the authors reflect on the philosophies of:

• Logical empiricism and empiricism
• Critical rationalism
• Critical theory
• Existentialism
• Systems theory
• Feminism
• African philosophy
• Hermeneutics
• Postmodernism
• Nihilism

Rethinking Truth builds on the theories covered in Rethinking Our World and for this reason, it is more suitable for senior students in the human and social sciences. It should also appeal to a general readership seeking a greater understanding of the arguments in the major philosophies.

Looking at state-of-the-art theories and research in career psychology and career education in the South African and international contexts, this publication has been designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as career practitioners, psychologists, educationists and teacher-counsellors. This publication examines both historical and state-of-the-art career practices in career psychology, provides descriptive and critical analyses of career theories and current thought on career development, gives a South African perspective on the process of career choice, focuses on career counselling in this country and suggests what overseas practice and research may be appropriate locally, discusses career education, career information and the indigenisation of career psychology, and suggests which aspects of career research need to be conducted in South Africa, and adds to the first edition by including chapters on organisational psychology, general systems theory, and the career psychology of women.

The introduction to sociology series aims to present foundational sociology in a unique way. The series introduces students to debates that are current and alive in modern sociology, especially those in southern Africa. As they move from topic to topic, students will build up an advanced repetoire of technical language and concepts. Discussions are always clear and accesible. Coherently structured with a developing and cumulative theme, each book is written in a lucid, logical, and organised way, promoting the fundamental skill of sequential argument that all students must learn at university level. In addition, exercises at the end of each book are carefully constructed to develop cognitive skills. This particular book, Social Institutions, is an introduction to the field in sociology, with an emphasis on the family and education, especially those issues relevant to southern Africa and the developing world.

In a clear and easy-to-understand style, BEGINNINGS AND BEYOND: FOUNDATIONS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, 10th Edition lays out basic questions any student of early childhood education -- including you -- would want answered. It also presents key concepts, the latest research, and practical examples so that questions are thoroughly answered. Coverage of the current Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) is woven throughout the text, as is material on diversity and development, which enables you to understand that issues of age, gender, race/ethnicity, ability, and family are part of every aspect of teaching and learning. Every chapter has a feature focused on how brain-based research is connected to development, and another that highlights intentional teaching. Through its tone, visuals, and pedagogy, the book is accessible to and respectful of readers with a range of abilities and learning styles.

Thoroughly updated and revised, the second edition of this successful and widely praised textbook offers an account of the 'classical' period of Greek history, from the aftermath of the Persian Wars in 478 BC to the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC.* Two important new chapters have been added, covering life and culture in the classical Greek world* Features new pedagogical tools, including textboxes, and a comprehensive chronological table of the West, mainland Greece, and the Aegean* Enlarged and additional maps and illustrative material* Covers the history of an important period, including: the flourishing of democracy in Athens; the Peloponnesian war, and the conquests of Alexander the Great* Focuses on the evidence for the period, and how the evidence is to be interpreted

Athenian democracy continues to capture the modern imagination. This book offers an account of the evolution and operation of the Athenian political system. It assesses the main sources for the history of Athenian democracy, examines the criticism of the model, ancient and modern, and provides a virtual tour of the political cityscape of ancient Athens, describing the main political sites and structures, including the theatre.

Building on the strengths of the second edition, this highly regarded textbook continues to provide the best introduction to the strategies of comparative research in political science. Divided into three parts, the book begins by examining different methods, applying these methods to dominant issues in comparative politics using a wealth of topical examples from around the world, and then discusses the new challenges in the area. New to this edition: features explanation of regression analysis with accompanied briefing boxes new discussion of the assumptions, research design, and the use of statistics characteristic of many-country comparisons single and multi-country studies - how to compare countries and address problems of comparison, especially the principles for selecting countries new chapter on the intersection between international relations and comparative politics all chapters have been updated with new publications and research output relevant to the discussion. Balancing reader friendly features with high quality analysis makes this popular academic text essential reading for everyone interested comparative politics and research methods.

Since 1997 Representation has been the go-to textbook for students learning the tools to question and critically analyze institutional and media texts and images.

This long-awaited second edition:

• updates and refreshes the approaches to representation, signalling key developments in the field
• addresses the emergence of new technologies, media formats, politics and theories
• includes an entirely new chapter on celebrity culture and reality TV
• offers new exercises, readings, images and examples for a new generation of students

This book once again provides an indispensible resource for students and teachers in cultural and media studies.

Abnormal Psychology provides a good introduction to the study of psychological disorders from a South African perspective. The book refers to both International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) criteria to classify and define mental disorders. It is aimed at second- and third-year students following courses in Psychopathology or Abnormal Psychology at universities and is endorsed by PsySSA.
The second edition of Abnormal Psychology features new chapters on western and African aetiological models, psychological manifestations of physical illness, and mental wellness. It includes South African research where relevant with a greater focus on analysing South African contexts.

First published in 1974, Social Work Treatment remains the most popular and trusted compendium of theories available to social work students and practitioners. It explores the full range of theoretical approaches that drive social work treatment and knowledge development, from psychoanalysis to crisis intervention. A treasure trove of practice knowledge, the text equips professionals with a broad array of theoretical approaches, each of which shine a spotlight on a different aspect of the human condition. Emphasizing the importance of a broad-based theoretical approach to practice, it helps readers avoid the pitfalls of becoming overly identified with a narrow focus that limits their understanding of clients and their contexts. This sweeping overview of the field untangles the increasingly complex problems, ideologies, and value sets that define contemporary social work practice. The result is an essential A-to-Z reference that charts the full range of theoretical approaches available to social workers, regardless of their setting or specialty.

Does life have any meaning for you? Is it possible to create meaning? What do you think life is about? Do you think life is worth living?

These questions, taken from the text of Rethinking Our World, challenge the reader to look critically and creatively at many of society’s traditional beliefs. They encourage readers to look at their world differently by asking questions about change, identity and direction. The authors outline the major figures and basic principles of each philosophy, then analyse the type of thinking each approach encourages. They go on to challenge readers to examine ways in which the different approaches can be used to understand the world.

Rethinking Our World will be invaluable to undergraduate students in the human and social sciences, as well as to a more general readership seeking an understanding of the arguments in the major philosophies.

How can social workers, psychologists and counsellors improve communication with their clients? What can these facilitators do to enhance their listening and empathic skills? How can they create an environment of trust in which clients - be they individuals, goups, families, or communities - can develop and grow effectively?

Person-Centred Facilitation presents the theory and practice of the person-centred approach to facilitating counselling, as developed by Carl Rogers. The text provides an introduction to the person-centred approach in relation to individuals, groups, families and communities. It offers a solid theoretical grounding which supports both academic learning and applied practice, and guides readers' understanding and self-development.

Revised and updated, the fourth edition integrates values from an African cultural perspective, and reflects the importance of social justice as an element of the developmental counselling process. It offers a wealth of South African case studies, an entirely new section on family counselling, and an expanded focus on group work counselling. Other expanded areas include aspects of constructivism; cross-cultural communication; people in conflict, and the self of the facilitator, the latter two aspects having been integrated into the text of the various chapters.