Social Theory for BeginnersTreating 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. |
Contents
1 What is social theory? | 1 |
2 Where did social theory come from? | 21 |
3 Émile Durkheim and the coming of industrial society | 45 |
4 Karl Marx capitalism and revolution | 65 |
5 Max Weber rational capitalism and social action | 99 |
6 Talcott Parsons functionalism and the social system | 133 |
7 Social interactionism and the real lives of social actors | 165 |
8 Western Marxism Antonio Gramsci and the Frankfurt School | 191 |
11 Feminist social theory | 269 |
Habermas Bourdieu and Giddens | 291 |
13 Theories of modernity and postmodernity | 337 |
the global dimension and cultural theory | 377 |
15 The boundary problem in contemporary social theory | 415 |
GLOSSARY | 429 |
REFERENCES | 465 |
| 473 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
action activity actually already analysis approach argues associated basic become beliefs called capacity capitalism capitalist century Chapter communicative concept consciousness context critical cultural defined describe discourse discussed distinction dominant Durkheim economic effects emergence example existence experience express fact follow forces function gender Giddens give global groups Habermas historical human ideas identifiable important individual industrial institutions integration intellectual interaction interests kind knowledge labour language living looking Marx Marxism material meaning modern society modernist nature notion objects organisation original particular performance perspective phenomena philosophical political position possible postmodern postmodernist practices production properties rationality reality realm reasoning refers reflexive relations sciences sense significant social actors social system social theory society structure suggests theorists things thinking types underlying understanding universal values various Weber