Introducing SociologyWhat is sociology? Simply, it is the study of how society functions, or in some cases, does not function. Various competing schools of sociology have attempted to fit observations of social phenomena into different conceptual systems. Introducing Sociology traces the origins of these systems from Enlightenment thought and the pioneering work of Auguste Comte to subsequent developments in Karl Marx, Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. The rapid expansion of sociology in 20th-century America and Britain, the post-World War II dominance of Talcott Parsons, the Chicago School and the rise of Structuralism are brilliantly outlined in a clear, graphic form. The book also examines the array of concepts and methods of research that have been applied to the study of society by the key analysts. This book is essential reading for students of the subject and for anyone interested in understanding the functioning of society. |
Common terms and phrases
19th century actually analysis analyzing argued argument basic Baudrillard behaviour Borin Van Loon capitalism capitalist society claim communication complex Comte conflict consensus crime critical debate Durkheim economic élites empirical everything explain false consciousness feminism feminist critique Frankfurt school Freud functional prerequisites functionalist global Gramsci grand theories groups historical human ideas ideology important individual industrial interact interviews Jean Baudrillard language laws live London look male Marx Marx's Marxist mass culture mass media means natural norms organization personality political popular culture postmodern problem produce psychoanalysis question radical rational reproduce Roland Barthes scientific shape social action social change social development social facts social structure social system society functioned sociological approach Sociological Imagination sociological theory sociologists sociology's statistics stratification structuralist study society suicide symbolic interactionism Talcott Parsons talk television theoretical approach things trying underclass value-free W.E.B. Dubois wealth Weber welfare whole women