Illuminating Social Life : Classical and Contemporary Theory Revisited

by Peter Kivisto

• ISBN13: 9781452217826
• ISBN10: 1452217823
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-11-02
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

The sixth edition of Peter Kivisto's popular anthology, Illuminating Social Life, continues to demonstrate to students how social theories can help them make sense of the swirling events and perplexing phenomena that they encounter in their daily lives. 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

Table of Contents

About the Editor	p. vii
Preface	p. ix
Classical Sociological Theory	p. 1
Introduction	p. 1
Celebratory Capitalism and the Commodification of Information	p. 5
The Weberian Theory of Rationalization and the McDonaldization of Contemporary Society	p. 29
Surfing the Net for Community: A Durkheimian Analysis of Electronic Gatherings	p. 51
Alcohol-Related Windows on Simmel's Social World	p. 95
Contemporary Theories and Their Connections to the Classics	p. 125
Introduction	p. 125
Cultural Sociology and the Meaning of Music	p. 133
Why Do African-Americans Pay More for New Cars? A Structural Explanation	p. 153
Critical Theory, Legitimation Crisis, and the Deindustrialization of Flint, Michigan	p. 197
Race-Based Critical Theory and the "Happy Talk" of Diversity in America	p. 229
The Socially Constructed Body: Insights From Feminist Theory	p. 249
Organizing Door-to-Door Sales: A Symbolic Interactionist Analysis	p. 275
Goffman's Dramaturgical Sociology: Personal Sales and Service in a Commodified World	p. 297
Contrasts of Carnival: Mardi Gras Between the Modern and the Postmodern	p. 319
Negotiating the Social Landscape to Create Social Change	p. 345
Globalization Theory and Religious Fundamentalism	p. 369
Index	p. 393
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