The individual has never been more important in society - in almost every sphere of public and private life, the individual is sovereign. Yet the importance and apparent power assigned to the individual is not all that it seems. As 'Responsible Citizens' investigates via its UK-based case studies, this emphasis on the individual has gone hand in hand with a rise in subtle authoritarianism, which has insinuated itself into the government of the population. Whilst present throughout the public services, this authoritarianism is most conspicuous in the health and social welfare sectors, such that a kind of 'governance through responsibility' is today enforced upon the population.

In the twenty-first century, individualism has come to pervade the body politic, especially where health and social care are concerned. Clients who may be at their most abject and vulnerable are urged to take responsibility for themselves rather than further burden the health and social care services. In some British healthcare trusts, prosecutions are mounted against clients who have lost their temper or who act inappropriately as a result of their disorientation, under the guise of 'making them take responsibility for their actions'. Citizens on the street in Britain are likely to have responsibility thrust upon them through mechanisms such as electronic surveillance and the burgeoning new cohorts of community enforcement officers, as well as the police themselves. Thus taking responsibility is never quite as simple as it seems - being responsible demarcates the borderland between autonomy and authority, and often equates to simply 'doing what you're told'.

With an Introduction and Notes by Dr Sally Minogue Elizabeth Barrett Browning was such an acclaimed poet in her own lifetime that she was suggested as a candidate for the Poet Laureateship when Wordsworth died in 1850. Yet today we have only a limited knowledge of her considerable life's work as a poet, in part because of a lack of representative but accessible editions of her work. Readers will find here not only her well-known sonnet sequence of love poems, Sonnets From the Portuguese, but also lesser known sonnets, some in praise of the cross-dressing bohemian writer George Sand, others to contemporary poets and artists. Her religious and spiritual poetry echoes that of the Metaphysical poets. A different voice emerges in her social and political protest poems, such as `The Cry of the Children' and `The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim's Point'. Her experimental ballads allowed her to develop a distinctive way of writing about women within an apparently conventional form. In the outstanding work of her maturity, Aurora Leigh, the woman's voice takes centre stage. This `novel-poem' is full of verve and interest, with a female poet-hero who casts a caustic eye on life and on her fellow men - and women. We all think we know the story of Elizabeth Barrett Browning - the mysterious illness which enclosed her in her room, her over-loving but imperious father, and her romantic, secret marriage to the poet Robert Browning and their life together in Italy. But this comprehensive selection of her poetry tells the real story of her sustained creative life as a poet, which began with her childhood poetic ambitions and ended only with her death. All the major aspects of her poetry are represented in this accessible edition which is well-annotated and contextualised, with a wide-ranging introduction which covers Barrett Browning's poetic and intellectual life as well as her personal one. Recent critical re-readings, including major feminist reassessments, of her poetry are covered in the introduction, with helpful suggestions for further reading.

Research in higher education could be more useful, innovative and better designed if we were clearer about the philosophical and epistemological basis of the theories that underlie our research methods. People who have to interpret research would do a better job if they were able to interrogate research more critically and appreciate its strengths and weaknesses. This volume provides this information for an audience of researchers, policymakers, students and lecturers in higher education. The authors seek to create a dialogue with the reader about issues relevant to the philosophy of research and stimulate interest in how philosophy plays out in the real, everyday, political world, not least in education. Unlike many existing volumes on the market, this book creates a space in which readers can use the tools for thinking that the authors describe to interrogate their own experience.

Drawn from extensive, new and rich empirical research across the UK, Canada and USA, Queer Spiritual Spaces investigates the contemporary socio-cultural practices of belief, by those who have historically been, and continue to be, excluded or derided by mainstream religions and alternative spiritualities. As the first monograph to be directly informed by 'queer' subjectivities whilst dealing with divergent spiritualities on an international scale, this book explores the recently emerging innovative spaces and integrative practices of queer spiritualities. Its breadth of coverage and keen critical engagement mean it will serve as a theoretically fertile, comprehensive entry point for any scholar wishing to explore the queer spiritual spaces of the twenty-first century.

'Responsible Citizens' reveals how rising emphasis on the individual has gone hand in hand with an increase in subtle authoritarianism - particularly within public services - such that a kind of 'governance through responsibility' is today being enforced upon the population.

This text draws on a range of expertise to share good practice and explore new ways of using appropriate technologies in assessment. It provides a strategic overview along with pragmatic proposals for the use of computers in assessment.

The specification of standards in higher education has long been the subject of international debate. This text covers the rationales, operational issues and perspectives on benchmarking and standards from international viewpoints.

This updated text takes account of the changes that have occurred through technological advances, and has sections to cover ICT in the classroom. It is suitable for both new and experienced teachers in primary, further and higher education.

Exploring the issue of how educational staff can balance successfully their research and teaching activities, this volume argues that the entire system governing the relationship amongst research, teaching and learning should be dismantled and rebuilt, focusing on symbiosis rather than conflict.

This study examines the factors influencing the changes in teaching assessment at the higher education level and studies the range of techniques and methods available to the assessor. It evaluates the effectiveness of certain methods and discusses their implementation.

Containing over 100 checklist grids of performance indicators on a wide range of teaching elements, this guide allows teachers to assess their own work, uncovering strengths and weaknesses. The text can also be used for formal peer assessment or as a basis for gathering feedback.

This text offers researchers practical hints and advice as well as support/guidance in planning, carrying out, writing up and publishing research findings. Topics covered include: information handling; time and self-management; writing; dealing with others; and publishing and profile.

This text provides practical advice and support for people involved in working with children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). It takes a broad-based approach, aiming to combine pragmatic advice with theoretical underpinning, to provide SEN and classroom teachers with insight into support.

Drawn from extensive, new and rich empirical research across the UK, Canada and USA, Queer Spiritual Spaces investigates the contemporary socio-cultural practices of belief, by those who have historically been, and continue to be, excluded or derided by mainstream religions and alternative spiritualities. As the first monograph to be directly informed by 'queer' subjectivities whilst dealing with divergent spiritualities on an international scale, this book explores the recently emerging innovative spaces and integrative practices of queer spiritualities. Its breadth of coverage and keen critical engagement mean it will serve as a theoretically fertile, comprehensive entry point for any scholar wishing to explore the queer spiritual spaces of the twenty-first century.

Assessment is widely recognized as an integral part of learning for students at all levels; it can also be the bane of a teacher's or lecturer's life. Evolving information and communications technology now offers ways of reducing the burden of assessment work and giving feedback without losing the developmental benefits for students of assessment. This book draws on a range of expertise to share good practice and explore new ways of using appropriate technologies in assessment. It provides both a strategic overview and pragmatic proposals for the use of computers in assessment. Contents include: designing and using multiple-choice questions and standard question formats; using computer-assisted assessment to provide feedback; using ICT to support innovative assessment; and technical and operational issues.

This text provides practical advice and support for people involved in working with children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). It takes a broad-based approach, aiming to combine pragmatic advice with theoretical underpinning, to provide SEN and classroom teachers with insight into support.

Exploring the issue of how educational staff can balance successfully their research and teaching activities, this volume argues that the entire system governing the relationship amongst research, teaching and learning should be dismantled and rebuilt, focusing on symbiosis rather than conflict.

Following changes in education over the years, lecturers are under increased pressure with heavier workloads and more complex assessment duties. This practical manual seeks to provide ideas on all aspects from coping with heavier workloads to working with support staff, and has a "dip-into" format.

This book examines the transformations of rural society and economy in the UK and US during the last half-century, and explores the significance of these trends and changes for community sustainability, quality of life and the environment. While both the UK and US are highly urbanised, rural people and communities continue to contribute to national identity, economic development and social solidarity, as well as to environmental quality. Contributors explore the degree to which rural people exhibit agency and autonomy, rather than being merely passive in the face of exogenous forces of change in a globalised world. They also illuminate very different policy approaches to rural policy in two advanced capitalist societies often thought to be similar, and show how fundamental differences in rural policy approaches of the US and the UK are based on different social ideologies and values that shape policies relating to rural areas. This book will help to stimulate transatlantic dialogue on rural scholarship and rural policy analysis, while also contributing to theory and policy development. It will be of interest to researchers, students and everyone involved in the policy and practice of rural development.

This one-of-a-kind collection of chapters takes the reader on a tour to explore innovative practices from classrooms, schools, districts, communities, and faraway places in the world. Each of the chapters-organized under six headings-tells an authentic, compelling story of a pioneering and successful initiative that breaks the traditional mold of instructional delivery and time-honored school organization. Breaking the Mold of School Instruction and Organization guides readers through examples of education initiatives which go beyond traditional classroom restraints to achieve surprising success.

This book examines the transformations of rural society and economy in the UK and US during the last half-century, and explores the significance of these trends and changes for community sustainability, quality of life and the environment. While both the UK and US are highly urbanised, rural people and communities continue to contribute to national identity, economic development and social solidarity, as well as to environmental quality. Contributors explore the degree to which rural people exhibit agency and autonomy, rather than being merely passive in the face of exogenous forces of change in a globalised world. They also illuminate very different policy approaches to rural policy in two advanced capitalist societies often thought to be similar, and show how fundamental differences in rural policy approaches of the US and the UK are based on different social ideologies and values that shape policies relating to rural areas. This book will help to stimulate transatlantic dialogue on rural scholarship and rural policy analysis, while also contributing to theory and policy development. It will be of interest to researchers, students and everyone involved in the policy and practice of rural development.

The specification of standards in higher education has long been the subject of international debate. This text covers the rationales, operational issues and perspectives on benchmarking and standards from international viewpoints.

This study examines the factors influencing the changes in teaching assessment at the higher education level and studies the range of techniques and methods available to the assessor. It evaluates the effectiveness of certain methods and discusses their implementation.