What do we mean by 'assemblage' in contemporary theory? The constant and seemingly limitless expansion of the concept's range of applications begs the question, if any and every kind of collection of things is an assemblage, then what advantage is there is in using this term and not some other term, or indeed no term at all? What makes an assemblage an assemblage, and not some other kind of collection of things?

This book advances beyond this impasse and offers practical help in thinking about and using assemblage theory for contemporary cultural and social research, in order to:

- Answer the question: what is an assemblage?

- Explain why assemblage theory is necessary

- Provide clear instructions on how to use assemblage theory

Ian Buchanan maps the beginnings of a brand new field within the humanities.