Sociological Theory: What Went Wrong?

Sociological Theory: What Went Wrong? PDF

Author: Nicos Mouzelis

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2003-09-02

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13: 1134901224

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Written with precision and clarity, this is a compelling analysis of the central problems of sociological theory today and of the means to resolve them. Argues that we should build on ideas from the 50s and 60s, and not dismiss them.

Critical Issues in Social Theory

Critical Issues in Social Theory PDF

Author: John K. Rhoads

Publisher: Penn State Press

Published: 2010-11-01

Total Pages: 394

ISBN-13: 9780271040059

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Critical Issues in Social Theory is an analytical survey of persistent controversies that have shaped the field of sociology. It defines, clarifies, and proposes solutions to these "critical issues" through commentary on the writings of such influential social theorists as Hobbes, Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Mead, Merton, Parsons, and Schutz. Instead of being just another history, or another classification of theories, Rhoads's four-part model allows him to focus attention on issues that remain at the core of sociological theory today. First, Rhoads analyzes the controversy over positivism as the proper methodological model for the study of human society. Is there one science, of which sociology is a branch, or do the peculiarities of sociology's subject matter require a modification of the scientific method borrowed from the natural sciences? Rhoads next considers the relationship of individuals to society and its structures. Does society have a mode of existence distinct from its members, or is it merely an abstraction derived from the characteristics of individuals? Third, a discussion of social order raises the question of whether social order is the consequence of rules and their underlying moral values, or the product of continuous construction based on self-interest. Finally, the relative importance of consensus and conflict in social relationships is addressed. Is society better understood as a community united by beliefs, values, and rules, or is the social dynamic of continual conflict over beliefs, values, and rules more fundamental? In coming to grips with these issues, the author in some instances takes sides and in others arrives at a synthesis of diverse perspectives. In the final chapter he points to the limitations on the possibility of rational action that come to light in the clashes over these basic issues.

Social Theory

Social Theory PDF

Author: Carsten Bagge Laustsen

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2017-03-27

Total Pages: 402

ISBN-13: 1317329716

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This textbook offers a new approach to understanding social theory. Framed around paired theoretical perspectives on a series of sociological problems, the book shows how distinctive viewpoints shed light on different facets of social phenomena. The book includes sociology’s "founding fathers", major 20th-century thinkers and recent voices such as Butler and Zizek. Philosophically grounded and focused on interpretation and analysis, the book provides a clear understanding of theory’s scope while developing students’ skills in evaluating, applying and comparing theories.

Handbook of Classical Sociological Theory

Handbook of Classical Sociological Theory PDF

Author: Seth Abrutyn

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2021-11-01

Total Pages: 714

ISBN-13: 3030782050

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This is the first handbook focussing on classical social theory. It offers extensive discussions of debates, arguments, and discussions in classical theory and how they have informed contemporary sociological theory. The book pushes against the conventional classical theory pedagogy, which often focused on single theorists and their contributions, and looks at isolating themes capturing the essence of the interest of classical theorists that seem to have relevance to modern research questions and theoretical traditions. This book presents new approaches to thinking about theory in relationship to sociological methods.

Toward A Sociological Theory of Information

Toward A Sociological Theory of Information PDF

Author: Harold Garfinkel

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2015-11-17

Total Pages: 499

ISBN-13: 1317250257

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In 1952 at Princeton University, Harold Garfinkel developed a sociological theory of information. Other prominent theories then being worked out at Princeton, including game theory, neglected the social elements of "information," modeling a rational individual whose success depends on completeness of both reason and information. In real life these conditions are not possible and these approaches therefore have always had limited and problematic practical application. Garfinkel's sociological theory treats information as a thoroughly organized social phenomenon in a way that addresses these shortcomings comprehensively. Although famous as a sociologist of everyday life, Garfinkel focuses in this new book-never before published-on the concerns of large-scale organization and decisionmaking. In the fifty years since Garfinkel wrote this treatise, there has been no systematic treatment of the problems and issues he raises. Nor has anyone proposed a theory of information like the one he proposed. Many of the same problems that troubled theorists of information and predictable order in 1952 are still problematic today.

Sociological Theory in the Contemporary Era

Sociological Theory in the Contemporary Era PDF

Author: Scott Appelrouth

Publisher: Pine Forge Press

Published: 2010-11-29

Total Pages: 705

ISBN-13: 141298761X

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Combines the major writings of sociology's core contemporary theorists with a historical and theoretical framework for understanding these works. This text enables students to compare and contrast core concepts and ideas, stresses contemporary applications and examples, and provides a variety of visuals and pedagogical devices.

Classical Sociological Theory

Classical Sociological Theory PDF

Author: Craig Calhoun

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2012-01-17

Total Pages: 578

ISBN-13: 0470655674

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This comprehensive collection of classical sociological theory is a definitive guide to the roots of sociology from its undisciplined beginnings to its current influence on contemporary sociological debate. Explores influential works of Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Mead, Simmel, Freud, Du Bois, Adorno, Marcuse, Parsons, and Merton Editorial introductions lend historical and intellectual perspective to the substantial readings Includes a new section with new readings on the immediate "pre-history" of sociological theory, including the Enlightenment and de Tocqueville Individual reading selections are updated throughout

Is Sociology Dead?

Is Sociology Dead? PDF

Author: Jack Nusan Porter

Publisher:

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 320

ISBN-13:

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Message to the Reader p. vii Preface p. ix Introduction: The Death of Sociology? Toward a New Paradigm p. xv I Sociological Theory p. 1 1 Conflict Theory: Classical and Contemporary p. 5 2 Situational Theory p. 15 3 Small Groups: Theory and Methods p. 19 4 Means of Conflict Resolution p. 29 5 The Urban Middleman: A Comparative Analysis p. 47 6 What is Evil? Some New Post-Modern Theories to Explain the Post-9/11 Era p. 69 II Images of Sociology p. 85 7 The Image of Sociology: A Mixed Bag p. 87 8 The Making of a Sociologist p. 93 9 Radical Sociology Textbooks p. 111 10 Confronting the Media: The Impact of Jonestown p. 121 11 The Sociological Imagination of Film p. 125 III Creative Praxis p. 137 12 Talking Police Blues: The Pedagogic Dilemma of the Academic p. 141 13 Corporations that Grant Degrees? p. 149 14 Computer Networks and Metanetworks p. 157 15 Two Newtons or One? One Affluent, One Not! p. 185 16 The Sociological Imagination in Politics p. 193 17 Toward a Sociology and History of Peace p. 197 IV Postscript p. 209 18 Jack Nusan Porter: Thoughts on Internal and External Peace Don Martindale p. 211 Sources p. 231 Index p. 233 About the Author p. 241.