Illuminating Social Life
Classical and Contemporary Theory Revisited
- Peter Kivisto - Augustana College, USA
The only undergraduate text that demonstrates how social theories can shed new light on contemporary issues
Social Theory
A perfect complement for sociological theory courses, this updated edition includes 13 original essays by leading scholars in the field that help students better understand and appreciate the relevance of social theory. Once again, Peter Kivisto's collection illuminates the connection between sociological theory and the realities that students are faced with every day, from the Internet, alcohol use, and body building to shopping malls, the working world, and fast-food restaurants.
Very good book, but more suitable as complementary reading than as textbook. It's good to get inspired by sociology in social life and therefore very helpful, but not as a textbook. Ordered for our library.
Decided to use the previous edition based on pertinent readings...
I thought the revisiting of theory and links to fresh case studies was very good. I have used chapters 3 and 5 in teaching undergrad students and MA's My sole criticism would be that most of the case studies are from the USA, so it takes a further leap of interpretation to re-localise the concepts. If examples were more international the book would be more 'essential' here in Ireland.
Although not directly relevant to the programme I deliver (leadership of integrated services), the importance this collection places on using theory to understand the world we live in means that it's a useful anthology in supporting any student in the field of social sciences. It is clearly laid out and the editorial introductions to each section support the reader to make connections to classical and current sociological theory. I would recommend it as background reading for those wishing to grasp a range of theoretical approaches to underpin their knowledge.
