In this sociology text the contributors provide an introduction to the subject without over-simplifying or `writing-down′ to their audience. The book aims to furnish undergraduates with the knowledge that will help them to understand and practice sociology and also to develop a self-perpetuating sociological imagination to enable them to think through new issues and new problems.
It consists of a series of specially commissioned chapters around binary or dichotomous themes. Although many sociologists are critical of dichotomous models of sociological theory and research, the device crops up again and again in the history and practice of the subject. Jenks and his colleagues use the dichotomies to situate students in current sociological arguments and topical debates. For example, by examining contradictory pairs of concepts like structure/agency, local/global, continuity/change, students are introduced to alternative explanations for aspects of human conduct over a whole series of issues.
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Introduction — Chris Jenks
Structure/Agency — David F Walsh
Continuity/Change — Fran Tonkiss
Fact/Value — Sue Stedman-Jones
Local/Global — Les Back
Qualitative/Quantitative — David Silverman
Normal/Pathological — Clive Seale
Culture/Nature — Helen Thomas
Relativism/Absolutism — Sue Stedman-Jones
Public/Private — Don Slater
Sex/Gender — Joanne Entwhistle
Race/Ethnicity — Jean Popeau
Idealism/Materialism — David F Walsh
Nationalism/Internationalism — Josep Llobera
Theory/Practice — Paul Filmer
Civil/Political — Fran Tonkiss
Active/Passive — Chris Jenks
Subject/Object — David F Walsh
Image/Text — Paul Filmer
Needs/Wants — Don Slater
Life/Death — Clive Seale
High/Mass — Paul Filmer
Modernity/Postmodernity — Helen Thomas and David F Walsh
Work/Leisure — Don Slater