Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Palgrave Macmillan

Towards a Sociology of the Coast

Our Past, Present and Future Relationship to the Shore

  • Book
  • © 2018

Overview

Authors:
  1. Nick Osbaldiston

    1. James Cook University, Cairns, Australia

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

  • Discusses why the coast is a significant space historically, socially and culturally that demands sociological investigation
  • Using Australia as a case study the author critically engages with the ways in which coasts have developed
  • Argues for an ethical rethinking of our use of coasts today to protect them for future generations

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this book

Log in via an institution
eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

Licence this eBook for your library

Institutional subscriptions

Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-x
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Introduction: Towards a Sociology of Coasts

    • Nick Osbaldiston
    Pages 1-12

  3. Method and Theory

    • Nick Osbaldiston
    Pages 13-34

  4. The Premodern Coast

    • Nick Osbaldiston
    Pages 35-66

  5. The Modern Coast: Flinders the Explorer

    • Nick Osbaldiston
    Pages 67-98

  6. The Noosa Story: Early Modernity Meets Lifestyle

    • Nick Osbaldiston
    Pages 99-121

  7. The Lifestyle Coast: Protecting the Authentic

    • Nick Osbaldiston
    Pages 123-152

  8. The Surfers Paradise Story: Modernity Meets Adventure on the Coast

    • Nick Osbaldiston
    Pages 153-182

  9. The Adventure Coast: The Glitz and Glamour of Surfers Paradise, Hedonism, Transgression and the Adventure

    • Nick Osbaldiston
    Pages 183-219

  10. Coastal Futures: Critically Engaging with Promethean Power on the Shore

    • Nick Osbaldiston
    Pages 221-251

  11. Conclusion: Departing Remarks on the Sociology of the Coast

    • Nick Osbaldiston
    Pages 253-267

  12. Back Matter

    Pages 269-275
    Download chapter PDF
Back to top

Keywords

About this book

This book seeks to understand the coast as a place that has deep significance both historically and sociologically. Using several case studies in Australia, the author uses Max Weber’s approach to rationalisation to understand the different ways coasts have been interpreted throughout modern history. While today, coastal places are known for their aspects of lifestyle or adventure, their histories, underpinned by colonialism and industrialization, are vastly different. The author examines the delicate dichotomy between the alternative experiences the coast provides today, versus the ideals and values imposed upon it in times gone by. The author makes an ethical argument about the ways in which we use and experience the coast today will adversely affect the lives of future generations in an attempt to generate further discussion amongst students and scholars of the sociology of place, as well as coastal managers and stakeholders. 

Authors and Affiliations

  • James Cook University, Cairns, Australia

    Nick Osbaldiston

About the author

Nick Osbaldiston is Senior Lecturer in sociology at James Cook University, Australia. He is the author of Seeking Authenticity in Place, Culture and Self  and the co-editor of Understanding Lifestyle Migration (with Michaela Benson). His research interests include migration, cultural sociology and climate change adaptation. 

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Towards a Sociology of the Coast

  • Book Subtitle: Our Past, Present and Future Relationship to the Shore

  • Authors: Nick Osbaldiston

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-48680-6

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan London

  • eBook Packages: Social Sciences, Social Sciences (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2018

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-137-48679-0Published: 02 November 2017

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-1-349-69544-7Published: 31 January 2020

  • eBook ISBN: 978-1-137-48680-6Published: 20 October 2017

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: X, 275

  • Number of Illustrations: 10 b/w illustrations, 7 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Urban Studies/Sociology, Urban Geography / Urbanism (inc. megacities, cities, towns), Urban History, Ethics

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Back to top

Search

Navigation