How did classical sociology emerge and take shape? What is the significance of classical sociology for current theoretical debates? How can the classical tradition in social theory inform our understanding of the crisis of modernity? Social theory has been formed through elaboration and critique of the classical tradition, and this introductory volume illuminates current theoretical terrain by examining major classical theories - of Saint-Simon, Comte, Marx, Durkheim, Dilthey, Tonnies, Simmel and Weber - highlighting recurring themes and debates. It explains how classical sociology emerged through a debate with the Enlightenment, in which the concept of the 'social' took shape. This was constructed around various themes emphasizing contrasting components of social life - including material, cultural, rational and moral factors. These divergent theorizations set the scene for the play of theoretical oppositions that characterize much subsequent theoretical dispute. Along with these debates there were questions about the very identity of sociology, which in turn relate to a core issue in the discipline - grasping the crisis of modernity. This authoritative text introduces the key issues of classical sociology to undergraduates, making use of student-friendly features such as clear summaries, further reading and a glossary. It lays the foundations for an understanding of contemporary discussion, and will also be recognized at the postgraduate level as a key reference in the field.

The ninth edition of Sociological Theory by George Ritzer gives readers a comprehensive overview of the major theorists and schools of sociological thought. Key theories are integrated with biographical sketches of theorists, and are placed in their historical and intellectual context. Written by one of the foremost authorities on sociological theory, this text helps students better understand the original works of classical and modern theorists, and enables them to compare and contrast the latest substantive concepts.

A unique hybrid of text and readings, this book combines the major writings of sociology′s core classical and contemporary theorists with an historical as well as theoretical framework for understanding them. Laura Desfor Edles and Scott A Appelrouth provide not just a biographical and theoretical summary of each theorist/reading, but an overarching scaffolding which students can use to examine, compare and contrast each theorists′ major themes and concepts. No other theory text combines such student-friendly explanation and analysis with original theoretical works. Key features include: * Pedagogical devices and visual aids - charts, figures and photographs - to help summarize key concepts, illuminate complex ideas and provoke student interest * Chapters on well-known figures, such as Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Parsons and Foucault as well as an in-depth discussion of lesser known voices, such as Charlotte Perkins-Gilman, WEB Du Bois, and Leslie Sklair * Photos of not only the theorists, but of the historical milieu from which the theories arose as well as a glossary at the back

This edited volume focuses on the problematic engendering of classical and contemporary sociological theory, addressing questions such as: How were the foundations of sociological theory shaped by an implicit masculinity? Did classical sociology simply reflect or actively construct theories of sexual difference? How were alternative accounts of the social suppressed in sociology's founding moments? Feminist interventions in sociology are still seen as marginal to sociological theorizing. This collection challenges this truncated vision of sociological theory. In part one, contributors interrogate the classical canon, exposing the masculinist assumptions that saturate the conceptual scaffolding of sociology. In part two, contributors consider the long-standing and problematic relationship between sociology and feminism, retrieving voices marginalized within or excluded from canonical constructions of sociological theory. In part three, contributors engage with key contemporary debates, explicitly engendering accounts of the social. Engendering the Social is unique in that it not only critically interrogates sociological theory from a feminist perspective, but also embarks on a politics of reconstruction, working creatively at the interface of feminist and sociological theory to induce a more adequate conceptualisation of the social. This is a key text for undergraduate and postgraduate students in sociology, social theory and feminist theory.

In recent years there has been a proliferation of approaches which have redefined our understanding of political power and the state. These contemporary state theories have philosophical and theoretical antecedents that can be traced to post-classical social and political thought: their influences can be traced to feminism, structuralism and poststructuralism, cultural theory, network analysis and globalisation theory. The classical theories of Marx, Weber and Durkheim are altogether less important in contemporary state theory. In Social Theory, the State and Modern Society, Mike Marinetto considers the philosophical and theoretical heritage of modern state theory and then critiques the theories that have evolved from this legacy. Topics covered include: The poststructural state Governance and the decentred state The gendered state The cultural turn in state theory The state in a global context The past, present and future of state theory Social Theory, the State and Modern Society is key reading for students of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy. It is also of interest to researchers and academics with an interest in state theory.

How can sociological perspectives help us make sense of contemporary social policy? How has the discipline of social policy engaged in recent sociological debates and developments? This book provides a variety of sociological frameworks for understanding contemporary social policy. It explores how sociological perspectives may be used to theorize, conceptualize and research social policy. Amanda Coffey captures the different ways in which social policy can be understood - as academic discipline, policy process, service provision and lived experience. The book engages with a range of policy areas and client groups, and pays attention to sociodemographic categories such as gender, 'race', class and age. Themes include: The body and processes of embodiment Citizenship and identity Equality and differences Space and time Research and representation Reconceptualizing Social Policy is a key text for students and lecturers in sociology and social policy.

“Richard Race has long proven that multicultural education and multiculturalism in [British] education are key to understanding and fostering social and community cohesion. This important book builds on decades of work, adding fresh insights that reflect the complexity of social and political issues faced in the UK… What Race and colleagues have done is both courageous and coruscating.” Professor Paul W Miller, Director of the Institute for Educational & Social Equity, UK “This edited book is a powerful curation of narratives, which set out pertinent and relevant perspectives on evolving dialogues in multiculturalism and multicultural education… It is a timely, comprehensive and insightful tome, which will be a useful addition to any global anti-racist bookshelf.” Dr Susan Davis, Reader in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Education, School of Education and Social Policy, Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK Multicultural dialogues are as important now as ever. This volume explores narratives in education that have developed internationally in response to changing policies and the modern world. Its contributions reflect on the necessity of sustained dialogue within the wider social and political sciences alongside national and international politics, to enable more multicultural voices to be heard and to respond to the challenges of the modern world. Cultural diversity is a great societal strength and globalisation within education can increase our understanding of this. This edited volume: •Comprises work by researchers from across the globe •Draws on real-life case studies and empirical evidence •Consists of 20+ chapters covering a range of topics Building on case studies from England, Turkey, Italy and more, this text transcends national policy to ask what the core values of multicultural education truly are. From policy and pedagogy to the impact on curricula, it is essential reading for students and those working across the fields of education and sociology, particularly with an interest in social justice, inclusion and multiculturalism. Richard Race is Senior Lecturer in Education at Teesside University, UK and a Visiting Professor at Sapienza University, Italy. Richard is a member of the Executive Board of the Society of Educational Studies and Editorial Board Member of the British Journal of Educational Studies.

This fully revised and updated popular text successfully bridges the gap between theory and methods in social research, clearly illuminating these essential components for understanding the dynamics of social relations. The book is divided into two parts, with part one examining the issues and perspectives in social research and part two setting out the methods and processes. Updates to this edition include: A new chapter on case study research A new concluding chapter Links to additional websites and IT applications that are integrated throughout the book Updated experiential examples and scenarios More international examples The clear writing style, chapter summaries, questions for reflection and signposts to further readings continue to make this book the ideal companion to social research for students across the social sciences. In addition, it will be recognised as an invaluable source of reference for those practising and teaching social research who wish to keep abreast of key developments in the field. With contributions from Beth Perry (University of Salford) and Carole Sutton (University of Plymouth).

Social Theory provides a sophisticated yet highly accessible introduction to classical and contemporary social theories. The author’s concise presentation allows students and instructors to focus on central themes. The text lets theorists speak for themselves, presenting key passages from each theorist’s corpus, bringing theory to life. The approach allows instructors the opportunity to help students learn to unpack sometimes complex prose, just as it offers inroads to class discussion. Chapters on Addams and early feminism, on Habermas and the Frankfurt School, on Foucault, and on globalization and social movements round out contemporary coverage. The book presents and explains key theories, just as it provides an introduction to central debates about them.

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