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Theoretical Sociology
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Theoretical Sociology
1830 to the Present


Other Titles in:
Social Theory

November 2012 | 936 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Written by award-winning scholar, Jonathan Turner, Theoretical Sociology: 1830 to the Present is a monumental book that offers like no other book in sociology both in-depth and comprehensive coverage of the classical and modern traditions in sociological theorizing. This is not a shallow review of theory, but a serious effort to understand theoretical sociology from its beginnings in the 1830s to its present profile today.

Part 1 is composed of detailed analyses of the theories of the classical tradition, including the works of August Comte, Herbert Spencer, Karl Marx, Max Weber, Georg Simmel, Emile Durkheim, and George Herbert Mead. Their theories are examined in detail and depth. As a result, the reader gets much more than a surface primer on the classical tradition; rather, analysis of each theorist in the classical tradition is comprehensive and deep, giving a reader a true understanding of the power of the ideas developed by theorists of the classical era. Part 1 closes with a long chapter summarizing how each of the key figures in sociology's early pantheon influenced the development of contemporary theory, examined in Part 2.

Part 2 of the book examines all of the principle theoretical traditions in sociology during the modern era. Each chapter is long because both the diversity and depth of work in each theoretical approach is examined, including the functional, general systems, ecological, evolutionary, conflict, exchange, symbolic interactionist, role and status, dramaturgical, phenomenological, structuralist, cultural, postmodern, European-critical, and American-style critical theories.

Part 3 reviews the state of sociological theory today. First, the elements that make theory scientific are outlined. And then, Turner explores how to overcome roadblocks that have prevented sociological theories from realizing their full explanatory power. Coverage spans both classical and contemporary theoretical sociology, with an eye to giving readers complete coverage of theoretical sociology.

This one book is resource for both the classical and contemporary courses, thus providing a unified book for readers in a wide variety of theory courses.

 
Theoretical Sociology
 
The Classical Period, 1830-1935
 
August Comte and The Emergence of Sociology
 
Herbert Spencer
 
Karl Marx
 
The Max Weber
 
Georg Simmel
 
Emile Durkheim
 
George Herbert Mead
 
The Classical Roots of Contemporary Theorizing
 
The Modern Era
 
Functional Theorizing
 
General Systems Theorizing
 
Ecological Theorizing
 
Evolutionary Theorizing
 
Conflict Theorizing
 
Exchange Theorizing
 
Symbolic Interactionist Theorizing
 
Role and Status Theorizing
 
Dramaturgical Theorizing
 
Phenomenological and Ethnomethodological Theorizing
 
Structuralist Theorizing (include structuration theory, network theory)
 
Cultural Theorizing
 
Postmodern Theorizing
 
European Critical Theorizing
 
American-style Critical Theorizing
 
The State of Sociological Theory
 
Elements of Scientific Theorizing
 
Overcoming Roadblocks to Cumulative
Explanatory Theory in Sociology

 

An outstanding resource in every respect, covering all aspects of Sociological theory. The text has significant coverage, exploring all major contemporary and classical sociological theories.
The text comprehensive, and relatively easy to understand, perfect for students requiring in-depth understanding of key sociological theories.
The text is ideal for undergraduate students or above. At further education level, it is suitable as a reference text for the most able and talented.
Overall, an essential text for courses of any level, exploring detailed aspects of sociological theory.

Mr Gavin Hatton
Sociology , Merthyr Tydfil College
October 6, 2016

Found this text extremely useful in preparation for sessions for me lectures. The text gives an excellent overview to classical theorist in sociology.

Mr Lewis Simpson
Department of Health & Social Studies, Grimsby Institute of HE & FE
March 13, 2015

This is an excellent volume, which I will encourage students to access when thinking about specific theoretical concepts or key thinkers. However, given the structure of the module, it could not be adopted as a core text.

Dr Claire Maxwell
Humanities, Institute of Education
September 24, 2014

The content of this book is consistent with the course outline. Discourses are objective and relevant/adoptable.

Mr Andrew Hicks
Faculty of Social Sciences/Department of Sociology, University of Guyana
September 8, 2014

This is a remarkable book, it gives depth and clarity across the sociological theory range in Turner’s inimitable post-positive style (that declaration puts people off but…) that attempts to make analytic models and present modern propositions from classical, modern and contemporary social theory; with I have to say some considerable skill.

The coverage is very, no… very very good, the depth is ‘postgraduate’ and it is rather accessible if you have undergraduate sociology knowledge.

This is a must for postgraduate sociology; taking historical narrative in sociology to a post-positivist and pragmatist dimension that offers propositions that are applicable to research from long dead sociologists and situates them in modern and up to date sociological theory.

Really good stuff if you warm to Turner’s analytic style…. I do.

Dr Jon Cryer
Faculty of Sport, Health and Social Care, Gloucestershire Univ.
July 13, 2014

This is an excellent book which outlines all ther major sociological theories and provides a solid foundation for further reading

Mrs Collette Straughair
Sch of Health,Community & Educ Studies, Northumbria University
February 25, 2014

This book provides a great depth of insight into a comprehensive variety of sociological theory. The layout lends itself to an easy reference book for dipping into when in search of clear understanding of otherwise complex issues - all be it at a slightly higher readership level then I had expected. I feel that this text is more suited to level 4 or 5 study as opposed to the level 3 course I had in mind.

Mr Andrew Thistle
Care Academy, Carshalton College
December 13, 2013

A vital text to any teaching of sociological theory. Good for both tutors and students and already being used in 1st year teaching and from September, 2nd level too. Both readable and enjoyable.

Mr Michael Mahadeo
Dept of Sociology & Appl'd Soc Studies, Ulster University
March 13, 2013

This book is clearly organised and provides a relevant insight into some of the fundamentals of Sociological theory.

Dr Frederico Matos
Social Policy and Education, Birkbeck College
February 13, 2013

I decided to go with the Applerouth and Edles text.

Dr John Barnshaw
Sociology Archaeology Dept, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
January 22, 2013

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