‘The strengths of this text are the breadth of theories covered; the integration of gender-related topics¾ family, work, religion; the use of substantial quotes from primary texts; the consistent inclusion of methodological issues.…I have no doubt that it will find a solid position in the field of theory texts.’
–Kathleen Slobin, North Dakota State University
A concise, yet surprisingly comprehensive theory text, given the range of ideas, historical context, and theorists discussed. Unlike other books of the type, Contemporary Sociological Theory focuses on how the pivotal theories contributed not only to the development of the field, but also to the evolution of ideas concerning social life.
Table of Content
Preface
A Note to Students
1. Introduction to Contemporary Sociological Theory
Nineteenth-Century Sociological Theory
Dominant Theories and Ideologies
Radical Theory and Ideology
Early-Twentieth-Century Sociological Theory
Sociological Theory by the 1930s
SECTION I. TWENTIETH-CENTURY FUNCTIONALISM AND BEYOND
2. Twentieth-Century Functionalism
Talcott Parsons (1902-1979)
Robert K. Merton (1910- )
Final Thoughts
References
3. Systems, Structuration, and Modernity
Niklas Luhmann (1927-1998)
Anthony Giddens (1938- )
Final Thoughts
References
SECTION II. CRITICISM, MARXISM, AND CHANGE
4. Critical Theory
The Institute of Social Research
Jurgen Habermas (1929- )
Final Thoughts
References
5. Marxism Since 1930
Marxism from 1930 to 1980
Marxism Now: Erik Olin Wright (1947- )
Final Thoughts
References
6. Sociocultural Change: Evolution, World System, and Revolution
Twentieth-Century Evolutionism: Elman Service (1915- )
World System Theory: Immanuel Wallerstein (1930- )
Revolution: Theda Skocpol (1947- )
Final Thoughts
References
SECTION III. TRANSITIONS AND CHALLENGES
7. Mid-Twentieth-Century Sociology
Ideological Disputes
Facts and Values
Macro/Micro Perspectives
Feminism and Feminist Sociological Theory
Race and Colonialism
Final Thoughts
References
8. Symbolic Interactionism
The Interactionist Tradition
Herbert Blumer (1900-1987)
Erving Goffman (1922-1982)
Arlie Russell Hochschild (1940- )
Final Thoughts
References
9. Rational Choice and Exchange
James S. Coleman, (1926-1995)
Final Thoughts
References
10. Feminist Sociological Theory
Sociology and Feminism
Dorothy E. Smith (1926- )
Patricia Hill Collins (1948- )
Final Thoughts
References
11. Knowledge, Truth, and Power
Michel Foucault (1926-1984)
Final Thoughts
References
12. Final Thoughts on Contemporary Sociological Theory
Sociological Theory Since 1930
The Future of Society
The Future of Sociological Theory
References
Credits
Index
About the author
R. A. Sydie has been professor of sociology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton for the past 30 years and is the current chair of the department of sociology. Her research interests include sociological theory, art and culture, and gender studies. Professor Sydie is the author of Natural Women, Cultured Men. Her latest research project involves a historical examination of sociological work on love and eroticism.
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