1355.75 1595

ISBN 9788131604243

Publication Year 2011

Pages 496 pages

Binding Hardback

Sale Territory South Asia

About the Book

Treating social theory as an exciting intellectual journey in its own right, this new introductory-level textbook presents the key ideas and concepts in social theory together with an account of the intellectual background from which they emerged. Aimed at first-year undergraduates studying sociology and all related disciplines in the social sciences and humanities, it provides an introduction to the major questions and debates facing social theorists and sociologists. Clearly designed presentation and layout features help readers navigate their way around the material, thus giving them the best chance of finding what they need quickly and easily.

• The only book on social theory that sociology students will need to get through their first year

• Written in an accessible style to guide students through the subject

• Comprehensive coverage of classical and contemporary theories and theorists

• Uses extensive examples from everyday life to illuminate concepts

• Includes student-friendly features such as highlighted key terms with margin explanations, tools for understanding, further reading and web resources

• Associated interactive website (accessible via www.policypress.co.uk) reflects how students learn online and provides links to wider resources

1. What is social theory?

2. Where did social theory come from?

3. Émile Durkheim and the coming of industrial society

4. Karl Marx, capitalism and revolution

5. Max Weber, rational capitalism and social action

6. Talcott Parsons, functionalism and the social system

7. Social interactionism and the real lives of social actors

8. Western Marxism, Antonio Gramsci and the Frankfurt School

9. Language, structure, meaning

10. Discourse and power: post-structuralist social theory

11. Feminist social theory

12. Reviving theories of modernity: Habermas, Giddens and Bourdieu

13. Theories of modernity and postmodernity

14. Reflexive modernisation: the global dimension and cultural theory

15. The boundary problem in contemporary social theory

About the Author / Editor

Paul Ransome is a lecturer in sociology, social theory and social research at Swansea University, UK. He has a professional interest in higher education pedagogy and also conducts research into work-life balance.