The contemporary discipline of sociology is theoretically multi-paradigmatic. Modern sociological theory descends from the historical foundations of functionalist and conflict-centered accounts of social structure, as well as the micro-scale structural and pragmatist theories of social interaction. Contemporary sociological theory retains traces of these approaches. Presently, sociological theories lack a single overarching foundation, and there is little consensus about what such a framework should consist of. However, a number of broad paradigms cover much present sociological theorizing. In the humanistic parts of the discipline, these paradigms are referred to as social theory and are often shared with the humanities. The discipline’s dominant scientifically-oriented areas generally focus on a different set of theoretical perspectives, which by contrast are generally referred to as a sociological theory. These include sociological field theory, new institutionalism, social networks, social identity, social and cultural capital, toolkit and cognitive theories of culture, and resource mobilization. Analytical sociology is an ongoing effort to systematize many of these middle-range theories. In order to value the importance of sociological perspective, it is significant to realize that sociology as a discipline arose within distinct historical, intellectual and social contexts. Major questions were raised about the individual & society these questions preoccupied thinkers in all periods of history, but these philosophical analyses of society were untested assumptions about the motives of human beings in their behaviour lacking systematic analysis of the structure and workings in society. This book covers all the aspects of this subject. It is hoped, the book will be found to be of immense value to the students of this subject. Contents: • Urban Stratification, Status and Mobility • The Village Community • Folk Society • Cultural Power • Creativity and Human History • Theory of Civilization in the Sociology of Culture • Political Communication • Political Culture • Political Leadership • Criminalization and Domination • Culture and Anarchy • Sociology of Religion • A Woman’s Place in Social Hierarchy

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the major theoretical perspectives in contemporary sociology, covering schools of thought or intellectual movements within the discipline, as well as the work of individual scholars. The author provides not only a rigorous exposition of each theory, but also an examination of the scholarly reception of the approach in question, considering both critical responses and defences in order to reach a balanced evaluation. Chapters cover the following theorists and perspectives: ¢ Alexander ¢ Bourdieu ¢ Ethnomethodology ¢ Exchange Theory ¢ Foucault ¢ Giddens ¢ Goffman ¢ Habermas ¢ Luhmann ¢ Merton ¢ Network and Social Capital Theory ¢ Parsons ¢ Rational Choice Theory ¢ Schutz and Phenomenalism ¢ Structuralism ¢ Symbolic Interactionism An accessible and informative treatment of the central approaches in sociology over the course of the last century, this volume marks a significant contribution to sociological theory and constitutes an essential addition to library collections in the areas of the history of sociology and contemporary social theory.

Previously published: Oxford, UK; New York: Oxford University Press, c2006.

Exam Board: AQA Level & Subject: AS and A Level Sociology (7191, 7192) First teaching: September 2015 First exams: June 2017

Perspectives in Sociology provides students with a lively and critical introduction to sociology and to the ways in which sociologists are trained to think and work. The subject is presented as a sequence of different perspectives on the social world, all of them interrelated, sometimes in conflict with one another, and all contributing important and necessary insights. The discussion is backed up by extensive reference to empirical studies. This edition has been completely revised. A chapter on critical theory has been added in order to reflect the extensive work and thinking that Marx's basic work continues to stimulate. The chapter on research strategies now takes account of new developments in the philosophy of science that are relevant for sociological approaches. Throughout, the authors have rewritten extensively in their continuing desire to produce clarity, and to respond to the comments of students and teachers.