The Classical Tradition in Sociology

The American Tradition

The Classical Tradition in Sociology: The American Tradition is a comprehensive guide and reassessment of the American tradition from the 18th century to today: from Franklin to Etzioni. Unparalleled in scope, it demonstrates that Americans have left an idelible mark on sociological theory and method: from the American Enlightenment, through to the monumental contributions of the Chicago School, Parsons, Goffman, Functionalism, Garfinkel, and radical-critical theory. Volume 1 considers the emergence of American sociology, and includes the key writings of the American Enlightenment: from Franklin to Paine, de TocquevilleÆs seminal critical contribution and the works of Giddings, Small, Dewey, and the American pragmatists. One finds here an indispensable survey of the roots of American sociology. Volume 2 examines what is commonly known as the Classical Tradition (1890-1930). It covers the path-breaking work of the Chicago School and the seminal contributions of Cooley, Park, Mead, and Veblen. The self-sustaining confidence and early maturity of the American tradition, which led to methodological developments and forms of analysis that were quite different from their European counterparts, shine out. Volume 3 considers American sociology from the 1930s to the 1960s: the period from Grand Theory to Symbolic Interactionism. It includes contributions from Parsons, Sorokin, Merton, Lazersfeld, Bales, the Small-Group Theorists, the Functionalists, the Systems Theorists, and the Symbolic Interactionists. The energy and inquisitive spirit of American writers is cogently revealed. Volume 4 addresses American sociology from 1960 to 1995: the period that stretches from post-industrialism to post-modernism. It includes selections from Garfinkel and the ethnomethodologists, Goffman, Bell and post-industrial theorists, radical-critical theory, Blalock and causal theory, Etxioni and communitarianism, and post-modernism. The fertility and inventiveness of recent American sociology is demonstrated, and the editor looks forward to the methodological and theoretical innovations of the next century. The substantial introduction to the whole work, as well as shorter introductions to each of the themed selections of writings are provided by the editor, Jeffrey C. Alexander. Learned and all-encompassing in its vision and achievement, The Classical Tradition in Sociology: The American Tradition provides the reader with a distillation of over two centuries of American sociological endeavor. Full account is taken of the reference needs of students as well as of academics. The Classical Tradition in Sociology is printed on acid-free paper in 244mm X 156mm format. Each volume, of a uniform 416 pages, is bound to the highest standards; finished with head and tail bands, colored endpapers, and cased in unlined chipboards. The volumes are blocked on the front and on the spine, and the blocking includes a foil panel. Each set is presented in a louvered slipcase that is also blocked over a foil panel. The volumes are not available separately.