ABSTRACT

Classic and Contemporary Readings in Sociology introduces the reader to sociological issues, theories and debates, providing extracts of primary source material, from both classical and contemporary theorists. Theorists are examined within their historical and sociological framework and the text provides an analysis of developments in sociological thought and research. The text is divided into four main sections: Part One, Origins and Concepts, surveys the history of the discipline of sociology and examines key themes which have influenced sociological theorising and investigation, in particular, social control, culture and socialisation. Parts Two and Four, Sociological Theories and Sociological Research, include a number of readings from the founding theorists and investigators, including Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Max Weber and Charles Booth, and also include more recent theoretical writing and research approaches. The focus on theory and research is extended by a selection of readings centred around the theme of Differences and Inequalities (Part Three); these readings provide students with examples of work from an area where sociological theorising and research has been widely applied.

part |49 pages

Origins and Concepts

chapter |6 pages

Social control

chapter |6 pages

Cultural diversity (1)

Religion and witchcraft

chapter |6 pages

Cultural diversity (2)

Learning sex roles

chapter |4 pages

Culture and socialization

The role of the soap opera

part |93 pages

Sociological Theories

chapter |6 pages

Bourgeois and proletarians

Marx's analysis of class relationships (1)

chapter |3 pages

The French peasantry of the mid-nineteenth century

Marx's Analysis of class relationships (2)

chapter |6 pages

Stigma

part |136 pages

Differences and Inequalities

chapter |8 pages

Domestic violence

A case against patriarchy

chapter |6 pages

What makes women sick

Gender and health

part |79 pages

Sociological Research

chapter |5 pages

Social surveys (1)

Poverty and labour in London in the 1880s

chapter |4 pages

Social surveys (2)

Poverty and labour in London in the 1980s

chapter |6 pages

The research process

Planning social surveys

chapter |6 pages

Participant observation (1)

Inside the British police

chapter |8 pages

Participant observation (2)

Deviant lives and careers

chapter |4 pages

Feminist principles (1)

A reflexive approach

chapter |5 pages

Feminist principles (2)

Researching sexual violence

chapter |4 pages

Feminist principles (3)

Research for women