Sociology

The fourth edition of "Sociology" preserves and further enhances the book's qualities - its lucidity, and comprehensiveness. In its original edition, the book incorporated a treatment of cutting-edge areas of the subject, such as the impact of globalization. The 4th edition comes to terms with the impact of the internet and the new economy. An analysis of these developments is fed into many of the chapters. The 4th edition also includes a diversity of new chapters, sections and topics. There are new chapters, for example, on poverty and social exclusion and on ecological problems. As with previous editions, the book maintains a strongly comparative orientation, with materials drawn from variety of different societies and cultures across the world. More emphasis has been given to sociological theory than in previous editions.

The chapters specifically devoted to theory discuss classical figures but include treatment of recent authors such as Ulrich Beck, Manuel Castells as well as Anthony Giddens' own contribution to sociological theory. The book will be accompanied by a companion website, which will provide online support for users of "Sociology", both lecturers and students. From the site, lecturers will be able to download an instructor's manual and a variety of invaluable teaching aids, including powerpoint slides featuring maps, graphs and figures from the text and sets of sample essay questions and multiple choice questions for lecturer customization. Students will find chapter by chapter web links to important internet resources, on-line quizzes and competitions and a whole range of other learning facilities.

Tidligere: 3. edition, reprinted, 1998. xiv, 625 sider : ill.

Preface to the Fourth Edition; How to Use this Book; What is Sociology?; Developing a sociological outlook, Studying sociology; How can sociology help us in our lives?, Awareness of cultural differences, Assessing the effects of policies, Self-enlightenment; The development of sociological thinking, Early theorists, Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Max Weber; Sociological perspectives, Functionalism, Conflict perspectives, Social action perspectives, New directions in sociological thinking; Conclusion, Summary points, Critical thinking questions, Culture and Society; The concept of culture, Values and norms, Cultural diversity, Ethnocentrism; Socialization, Social roles, Identity; Types of society, Disappearing world -- premodern societies and their fate, The modern world -- industrial societies, Global development; Social change, Influences on social change, Change in the modern period; Conclusion, Summary points, Critical thinking questions, Further reading, A Changing World; Dimensions of globalization, Factors contributing to globalization, The causes of increasing globalization; The globalization debate, The 'sceptics', The 'hyperglobalizers', The 'transformationalis…