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A Primer in Social and Sociological Theory
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A Primer in Social and Sociological Theory
Toward a Sociology of Citizenship



April 2010 | 288 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

A fascinating guide to thinking theoretically about the social world

Organized around the discourses of modernity, democracy, and citizenship, A Primer in Social and Sociological Theory: Toward a Sociology of Citizenship helps readers to develop skills in critical thinking and theory analysis as they explore nine central ideas of thought: modernity, society, self, religion, capitalism, power, gender, race, and globalization. Each chapter concludes with a section that discusses the craft of citizenship as it relates to the chapter content.


 
1. Modernity, Democracy, and the Making of a Civic Sociologist
The Making of Modernity—Social Factors and Intellectual Ideas

 
America and the First Sociologists

 
Modern Institutions

 
Civic Sociology and the Craft of Citizenship

 
The Craft of Citizenship

 
 
2. Society
The Evolution of Society—Herbert Spencer

 
Culture and Society—Talcott Parsons

 
The System of Civil Society—Jeffrey C. Alexander

 
The Craft of Citizenship

 
 
3. Self
Creating the Self—George Herbert Mead

 
Performing the Self—Erving Goffman

 
The Language and Reality of the Self—R. S. Perinbanayagam

 
The Craft of Citizenship

 
 
4. Religion
The Religious Basis of Society—Émile Durkheim

 
Modern Religion—Robert Bellah

 
The God of War

 
The Craft of Citizenship

 
 
5. Capitalism
Contradictions of Capitalism—Karl Marx

 
Colonization of Democracy—Jürgen Habermas

 
Capitalism and the Body —Pierre Bourdieu

 
The Craft of Citizenship

 
 
6. Power
The Fundamental Contours of Power—Max Weber

 
Organizing Power—Ralf Dahrendorf

 
The Practices of Power—Michel Foucault

 
The Craft of Citizenship

 
 
7. Gender
The Root Causes of Gender Inequality—Charlotte Perkins Gilman

 
Structuring Gender Inequality—Janet Chafetz

 
Consciousness and the Relations of Ruling—Dorothy E. Smith

 
The Craft of Citizenship

 
 
8. Race
Double Consciousness—W.E.B. Du Bois

 
Race and Class—William Julius Wilson

 
Market Moralities and Black Nihilism—Cornel West

 
The Craft of Citizenship

 
 
9. Globalization
Runaway Modernity—Anthony Giddens

 
Global Capitalism—Immanuel Wallerstein

 
The Network Society—Manuel Castells

 
The Craft of Citizenship

 

I used this text in spring 2012 - adopted it because of the applied approach to citizenship.

JoAnna Kelly
Social Behavioral Sciences Div, Walsh University
January 3, 2013

An essential text for anyone exploring sociological theory. Clearly written text which gives ample explanations for theoretical concepts in practice.

Dr Caroline Lohmann-Hancock
Social Justice & Inclusion, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David
April 23, 2012

Provides the student with a comprehensive overview of theory which underpins sociology and the issues that effect our world today.

Ms Eileen Farrell
Wexford Campus, Institute of Technology Carlow
March 8, 2012

stimulating but accessible

Dr Karen Smith
Sch of Soc Sciences and Legal Studies, Dublin Institute of Technology
November 8, 2011

In some aspects this book advance, but in the case or taking example too simple (Race, Religion and Globalization), if for the next publishing may the author and editorial team should be add more case may be from asia, arab, africa. in my class we also have such problems like I mention above, so better to develop this book to be more advance. thank you

Dr Abdullah Sumrahadi
COLGIS, Northern University of Malaysia (UUM)
October 10, 2011

Connection to citizenship and theory; more applicable for students in their real worlds

Dr Yvonne J Combs
Political and Social Science, Lander University
August 23, 2011
Key features

Key Features:

  • Classical and contemporary theorists described in detail include Pierre Bourdieu, Janet Chavez, W.E.B. Dubois, Karl Marx, Herbert Spencer, and many others.
  • A focus on building higher-order thinking and theorizing skills guides readers in formulating their own analyses, interpretations, evaluations, and syntheses of theory.
  • Thoughtful end-of-chapter exercises build on one another and help students to develop their understanding of sociological theory.

For instructors

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