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Contemporary Social and Sociological Theory
Visualizing Social Worlds
Third Edition
- Kenneth Allan - University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA
An accessible and provocative survey of contemporary social and sociological theories
December 2012 | 488 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
In the Third Edition of Ken Allan's highly-praised Contemporary Social and Sociological Theory book, sociological theories and theorists are explored using a straightforward approach and conversational, jargon-free language. Filled with examples drawn from everyday life, this edition highlights diversity in contemporary society, exploring theories of race, gender, and sexuality that address some of today's most important social concerns. Through this textbook students will learn to think theoretically and apply theory to their own lives.
Part I: Introductions
Chapter 1: In the Beginning Was Modernity
Chapter 2: Defining Moments in Twentieth-Century Theory - Talcott Parsons and the Frankfurt School
Part II: Individuals and Situations
Chapter 3: The Language of the Self - Herbert Blumer
Chapter 4: Imaging the Self - Erving Goffman
Chapter 5: Achieving Social Order - Harold Garfinkel
Chapter 6: Social Exchanges - George Homans, Peter Blau, and Randall Collins
Part III: Social Structures and Systems
Chapter 7: Structures of Racial and Gender Inequality - William Julius Wilson and Janet Saltzman Chafetz
Chapter 8: Structuring Class - Pierre Bourdieu
Chapter 9: Structures of Power - Michel Foucault
Chapter 5: Achieving Social Order - Harold Garfinkel
Chapter 6: Social Exchanges - George Homans, Peter Blau, and Randall Collins
Part III: Social Structures and Systems
Chapter 7: Structures of Racial and Gender Inequality - William Julius Wilson and Janet Saltzman Chafetz
Chapter 8: Structuring Class - Pierre Bourdieu
Chapter 9: Structures of Power - Michel Foucault
Chapter 10: World-Systems Theory - Immanuel Wallerstein
Chapter 11: The Network Society - Manual Castells
Part IV: Modernity - Possibilities and Problems
Chapter 12: Reason and Democracy - Jürgen Habermas
Chapter 13: Civil Society and Democracy - Jeffrey C. Alexander
Chapter 14: Runaway Modernity - Anthony Giddens
Part V: Contemporary Political Identities
Chapter 15: Being Black in America - Patricia Hill Collins and Cornel West
Chapter 16: Text, Power, and Women - Dorothy E. Smith
Chapter 17: Exposing Sex - Judith Butler
Chapter 15 (Postmodernism) deals with the importance of Judith Butler for gender studies (pp. 752-761). I will use this part in my gender and politics lecture.
Political Science, Izmir Katip Celebi University
September 19, 2019
Max Weber (Chapter 4), Critical Theory (Chapter 10), Poststructuralism (Chapter 14)
Postmodernism (Chapter 15), The Global Society (Chapter 16) are important topics for my political sociology course. These chapters give detailed information about these topics.
Political Science, Izmir Katip Celebi University
September 19, 2019
This textbook is the best and most presentation of contemporary theory that I have found. The author writes to students, bringing a wide variety of theoretical ideas into their everyday lives. I have students in graduate school who tell me they continue to refer to this textbook (which they used in their undergrad education).
Sociology , Vancouver Island University
October 9, 2014
Overall excellent introductory text for undergraduate students.
NUC Combined Studies, Newham College of Further Education
February 18, 2015
excellent coverage of major contemporary theorists. good reference to key issues such as social structures, agency and globalization. I found building your theory toolbox and concepts and theory features very useful for reinforcing learning.
Department of Sociology, Manchester Metropolitan University
February 16, 2014
An excellent book which explores and develops contemporary ideas in sociology with nuance. Provides a solid underpinning for social science students for undergraduate and post-graduate levels
Applied Social Science (Carlisle), University of Cumbria
January 12, 2014
A great text to get students active in conversation!
biokinetics, sport and recreation, University of Pretoria
December 12, 2013
This is a useful text which succinctly reviews sociological theory to support students in thinking through issues such as social structures, class and power. I found the summary sections in each chapter particularly helpful.
School of Education, Wolverhampton University
October 31, 2013
A vital resource in teaching undergraduate social theory. Makes a difficult task so much easier. Clear language and full of the relevant information to enhance understanding of difficult concepts.
Dept of Sociology & Appl'd Soc Studies, Ulster University
June 27, 2013
To basic for this course. But can be used in the Bachelor courses concerning sociology and theories of culture and society
Dept Language & Business Communication, Aarhus School of Business
June 21, 2013
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