Discovering Sociology (RLE Social Theory)

Discovering Sociology (RLE Social Theory) PDF

Author: John Rex

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-08-21

Total Pages: 298

ISBN-13: 1317651960

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Professor John Rex was one of Britain’s most eminent sociologists, and a teacher of a whole generation of sociology students. In this book he presents a stimulating introduction to the major issues of sociological theory and gives an account of the perspective which has informed his thinking and writing. He deals with the objectives of sociological investigation, the methods it uses and how in these respects it resembles or differs from natural science and history. He goes on to discuss the work of Weber, Durkheim, Marx, Engels, Mills and other important theorists, and concludes with a convincing demonstration of the continuing relevance of the Weberian tradition to the study of sociology.

Approaches to Sociology (RLE Social Theory)

Approaches to Sociology (RLE Social Theory) PDF

Author: John Rex

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-08-21

Total Pages: 279

ISBN-13: 1317652525

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These essays, commissioned by John Rex, reflect the state of sociology in Britain today. Leading representatives of the diverse ‘schools’ provide lucid accounts of their own particular approaches to this complex discipline and in doing so demonstrate the techniques described. Topics covered include the empirical study of stratification, social evolution, survey techniques, mathematical sociology, systems theory, phenomenological approaches, Weberian sociology, structuralism, contemporary Marxism, and the development of theory after Talcott Parsons.

Discovering Sociology

Discovering Sociology PDF

Author: John Rex

Publisher:

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781315763668

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Professor John Rex was one of Britain's most eminent sociologists, and a teacher of a whole generation of sociology students. In this book he presents a stimulating introduction to the major issues of sociological theory and gives an account of the perspective which has informed his thinking and writing. He deals with the objectives of sociological investigation, the methods it uses and how in these respects it resembles or differs from natural science and history. He goes on to discuss the work of Weber, Durkheim, Marx, Engels, Mills and other important theorists, and concludes with a convincing demonstration of the continuing relevance of the Weberian tradition to the study of sociology.

Sociological Theory in Use (RLE Social Theory)

Sociological Theory in Use (RLE Social Theory) PDF

Author: Kenneth Menzies

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-08-21

Total Pages: 265

ISBN-13: 1317657195

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Central to most sociologists’ self-image is the claim that their theories are based on research. However, using a random sample of 680 articles appearing in major American, British and Canadian journals, Dr Menzies shows that in some areas of sociology the wide gap between theory and research means that much of sociological theory is virtually untested. He explains how theory is embodied in eight particular types of research, critically examines these research theories, and contrasts them with the positions of modern theorists. The sample of journal articles also permits a comparison of British, American and Canadian sociology. By contrasting on how researchers us theories, Dr Menzies is able to reassess several theories. For instance, symbolic interactionist research uses embedded causal claims and stands in a dialectical relationship to other sociological research, while the research version of conflict theory depends on external causes to explain social change. The implications of using statistical techniques like factor analysis and regression are also considered in relation to the form of explanation.

The Study of Society (RLE Social Theory)

The Study of Society (RLE Social Theory) PDF

Author: Kathleen Joan Heasman

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2020-07-26

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 1000155781

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In this book, Dr Heasman begins by stating some central questions and answers concerning sociology and how we are to set about studying society. It goes on to deal with family groupings and social differences; with education and the part it plays in socialization; with the meaning and the importance of social differences; and with the relative importance of work and leisure and the ways in which leisure can be used. It considers the effects of the change in the size of the population in the last hundred years upon social life in Britain, examines the problems of social change and looks at order in society and the way it is affected by different forms and aspects of government. The result is a thorough, comprehensive, but at all times lucid, introduction to the subject.

Sociological Theory (RLE Social Theory)

Sociological Theory (RLE Social Theory) PDF

Author: Keith Dixon

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2020-07-26

Total Pages: 175

ISBN-13: 1000155803

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Most professional sociologists claim that sociology is, or ought to be, a theoretical science. Keith Dixon argues here that this claim is formulated in such a way that a proper evaluation of its status is extremely difficult, and that the contingent objections to the possibility of sociological theorizing are sufficiently strong for such activity to be labelled as pretence. He believes that pretence to the theoretical is a hindrance to the development of sociology proper. It devalues significant empirical work by giving status to research findings only in so far as they relate to often arbitrarily conceived 'theoretical' concerns; it leads to a systematic neglect of the historical dimension in the explanation of human behaviour; and it sets up ideals of explanation whose pursuit leads to sterility, frustration and even intellectual corruption. Keith Dixon emphasizes, however, that in attacking the contingent possibility of theory, he does not mean to devalue empirical expertise, analytic skill or the exercise of disciplined speculative intelligence. The argument of his book is that intelligence can only flourish when released from the constraints of attempting to justify the unjustifiable.

The Science of Society

The Science of Society PDF

Author: Stephen Frederick Cotgrove

Publisher: Routledge Library Editions: So

Published: 2014-08-04

Total Pages: 310

ISBN-13: 9781138784048

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Two main criteria have guided the selection and presentation of the material for this text-book. Firstly, there is the claim that sociology is a science. Throughout, the emphasis has been on presenting sociological perspectives rather than conveying a mass of factual information. Science is essentially analytical. And sociology, if it is to justify its claim to be a science, must be more than simply 'political arithmetic', counting heads and providing demographic data for governments. Secondly, science, like other intellectual activities, can be exciting. The emphasis throughout is on the sociological study of industrial society, with particular reference to modern England. After an introductory discussion of sociological perspectives, there are chapters on each of the major sub-systems of society; the family, the educational system, the economy, the political system and belief systems. The book ends with three chapters on major social processes: social differentiation and stratification, organization, and finally, social change, including a discussion of deviancy and disorganization.

The Scope of Understanding in Sociology (RLE Social Theory)

The Scope of Understanding in Sociology (RLE Social Theory) PDF

Author: Werner Pelz

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-08-13

Total Pages: 289

ISBN-13: 1317648439

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In their efforts to emulate the methodology which had proved so successful in the natural sciences, the social sciences – including sociology – have not yet faced the question as to what constitutes understanding in their area with sufficient seriousness. This book asks again: what does understanding denote in an area where man tries to understand man, where self-understanding is involved, where new understanding immediately becomes part of that which is to be understood? What can we know and what is the use and limitation of knowledge in sociology? When are we conscious that we know and understand? Werner Pelz argues for a thorough reorientation in our approach to sociological thinking, and suggests that scientistic preconceptions have often precluded possibly fruitful approaches to humane understanding. He investigates the relations between various kinds of knowing, and examines the new possibilities of understanding made available, for example, by psychoanalytical and phenomenological insights, as well as by those of poets, artists, mystics. He shows that in the social and humanistic sciences, creative or constitutive contributions illuminate rather than demonstrate, and that, for this reason, sociology has not yet found an appropriate method for conveying them without serious distortions.

The Study of Society (RLE Social Theory)

The Study of Society (RLE Social Theory) PDF

Author: F.C. Bartlett

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-08-21

Total Pages: 398

ISBN-13: 1317650603

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There is today widespread recognition of the fact that the future of human civilization depends to a high degree upon Man’s capacity to understand the forces and factors which control his own behaviour. Such understanding must be achieved, not only as regards individual conduct, but equally as regards the mass phenomena resulting from group contacts, which are becoming increasingly intimate and influential. Until this present volume, nowhere have the three sciences of sociology, psychology and social anthropology been properly mobilized to deal with the social problems which yearly grow more pressing. The essays in this book aim to address this.

Discover Sociology

Discover Sociology PDF

Author: Daina S. Eglitis

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Published: 2021-07-04

Total Pages: 1232

ISBN-13: 1071820060

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What key social forces construct and transform our lives as individuals and as members of society? How does our social world shape us? How do we shape our world? Discover Sociology answers these questions as it explores sociology as a discipline of curious and scientific minds. The text is structured around several themes, particularly the unequal distribution of power and authority in all aspects of social life. Going beyond theory and concepts, the authors also demonstrate how studying sociology produces more engaged citizens and opens up a diversity of career paths. This title is accompanied by a complete teaching and learning package.