Explorations in Classical Sociological Theory : Seeing the Social World

by Kenneth Allan

• ISBN13: 9781412905725
• ISBN10: 1412905729
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-12
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

Thinking theoretically and understanding social theories can be hard work. Theory represents one of the deepest forms of thinking; it is generally pretty abstract, filled with specialized terms, and requires us to think differently than we normally do. Rather than a work of theory itself, Explorations in Classical Sociological Theory: Seeing the Social World is an insightful work that invites students to think creatively, reflexively, and critically about their social worlds. Written in a conversational tone that lifts the veil of theoretical jargon, Explorations in Classical Sociological Theory introduces students to the major classical theorists, including Marx, Spencer, Durkheim, Weber, Simmel, Mead, Schutz, Gilman, and Du Bois. This text focuses on the individual perspective of each theorist rather than schools of thought, and uses the provocative ideas of modernity and postmodernity to help students understand how the theoretical, historical perspectives apply to their own time period. Key Features Emphasizes theory as a constructive, thinking enterprise by including chapters devoted to teaching students how to think theoretically Presents the individual perspective of each theorist "as is" without altering it to fit a particular mold, yet provides students with a categorical scheme to analyze each theorist Introduces the power and poetry of theory through extensive use of original source material from the theoristsa?? writings Uses modernity and postmodernity as a framework to encourage readers to see the social world as epical, suggesting that we are living in an era of change Challenges students to synthesize theory around key themes such as social change and stability, religion and culture, oppression and equality, and power and economic relations Includes pedagogical features such as a comprehensive glossary, extensive use of selected quotations, end-of-chapter summaries, discussion questions, student exercises, and related Web sites and readings Explorations in Classical Sociological Theory is a comprehensive, accessible textbook for undergraduate students studying sociological theory.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Prelude	xi
Imagining Society	1	(26)
Foundations of Theory	3	(2)
The Sociological Perspective	5	(2)
Assumptions Concerning Society	7	(8)
Assumptions Concerning Values	15	(3)
The Beginnings of Theory and Learning to Theorize	18	(3)
Themes in Classical Theory	21	(2)
Summary	23	(4)
Building Your Theory Toolbox	24	(3)
Organic Evolution---Herbert Spencer (British 1820--1903)	27	(36)
The Perspective: The Evolution of the Universe at a Glance	30	(5)
Social Evolution	35	(11)
Social Institutions	46	(9)
Thinking About Modernity and Postmodernity	55	(3)
Summary	58	(5)
Building Your Theory Toolbox	59	(4)
Engines of Change---Karl Marx (German, 1818--1883)	63	(38)
The Perspective: Human Nature, History, and Reality	69	(6)
The Basic Features of Capitalism	75	(10)
The Ramifications of Capitalism	85	(10)
Thinking About Modernity and Postmodernity	95	(2)
Summary	97	(4)
Building Your Theory Toolbox	98	(3)
Cultural Consensus---Emile Durkheim (French, 1885--1917)	101	(42)
The Perspective: Social Facts and the Law of Culture	105	(7)
Religious Roots of Society	112	(9)
Social Diversity and Morality	121	(9)
Individualism	130	(3)
Thinking About Modernity and Postmodernity	133	(4)
Summary	137	(6)
Building Your Theory Toolbox	138	(5)
Authority and Rationality---Max Weber (German, 1864--1920)	143	(42)
The Perspective: Complex Sociology	147	(7)
The Evolution of Religion	154	(5)
The Rise of Capitalism: Religion and States	159	(5)
Class, Authority, and Social Change	164	(8)
Rationality in Action	172	(4)
Thinking About Modernity and Postmodernity	176	(4)
Summary	180	(5)
Building Your Theory Toolbox	181	(4)
Society and the Individual---Georg Simmel (German, 1858--1918)	185	(44)
The Perspective: The Individual and Objective Culture	188	(4)
Social Forms	192	(8)
Objectifying Culture	200	(10)
Two Objective Institutions: Religion and Gender	210	(10)
Thinking About Modernity and Postmodernity	220	(3)
Summary	223	(6)
Building Your Theory Toolbox	225	(4)
Self-Consciousness---George Herbert Mead (American, 1863--1931)	229	(30)
The Perspective: Society Inside	232	(5)
Basic Human Tools: Symbols and Minds	237	(5)
Living Outside the Moment---The Self	242	(6)
The Emergent Big Brother	248	(4)
Thinking About Modernity and Postmodernity	252	(3)
Summary	255	(4)
Building Your Theory Toolbox	256	(3)
A Society of Difference---Harriet Martineau, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, and W.E.B. Du Bois	259	(52)
An Open Letter	259	(3)
Harriet Martineau (British, 1802--1876)	262	(17)
Martineau's Perspective: Natural Law and the Hope of Happiness	263	(3)
Observing Morals and Manners: Methods of Social Research	266	(4)
Institutions	270	(8)
Summary	278	(1)
Charlotte Perkins Gilman (American, 1860--1935)	279	(12)
Gilman's Perspective: Evolution With a Twist	281	(3)
Dynamics of Social Evolution	284	(6)
Summary	290	(1)
W.E.B. Du Bois (American, 1868--1963)	291	(12)
Du Bois' Perspective: The Experience of Oppression and Critical Knowledge	294	(3)
Cultural Oppression	297	(3)
The Dark Nations and World Capitalism	300	(2)
Summary	302	(1)
Thinking About Modernity and Postmodernity	303	(8)
Building Your Theory Toolbox	307	(4)
The Problem of Meaning and Reality---Alfred Schutz (Austrian, 1899--1959)	311	(30)
The Perspective: Social Phenomenology---Seeing Reality From a Human Viewpoint	314	(6)
Being Conscious in the Lifeworld	320	(3)
Ordering the Lifeworld---Creating Human Reality	323	(7)
Connecting With Others	330	(4)
Thinking About Modernity and Postmodernity	334	(3)
Summary	337	(4)
Building Your Theory Toolbox	338	(3)
The Social System---Talcott Parsons (American, 1902--1979)	341	(36)
The Perspective: Abstract Social Systems	347	(4)
The Making of the Social System	351	(8)
System Functions and Control	359	(7)
Social Change	366	(2)
Thinking About Modernity and Postmodernity	368	(3)
Summary	371	(6)
Building Your Theory Toolbox	373	(4)
Theorizing Society	377	(10)
What to See---Provocative Possibilities	378	(3)
How to See---Tools of the Trade	381	(6)
References	387	(6)
Finding Your Way Through the Maze: An Annotated Glossary of Terms	393	(26)
Index	419	(12)
About the Author	431