Books On Contemporary Sociological Theory and Classical Sociological Theory

Sociological Theory

Sociological Theory by George Ritzer

Classical Sociological Theory by George Ritzer

The Social Lens: An Invitation to Social and Sociological Theory Kenneth Allan

A Primer in Social and Sociological Theory: Toward a Sociology of Citizenship by Kenneth Allan

Contemporary Social and Sociological Theory: Visualizing Social Worlds by Kenneth Allan

Classical Theory and Modern Studies: Introduction to Sociological Theory by Mark Abrahamson

Introduction to Sociological Theory: Theorists, Concepts, and their Applicability to the Twenty-First Century by Michele Dillon

Contemporary Sociological Theory: Expanding the Classical Tradition (6th Edition) Book by Ruth A.Wallace, Alison Wolf

Sociological Theory Book by George Ritzer, Douglas J. Goodman

Contemporary Sociological Theory (Blackwell Readers in Sociology)
Book by Craig Calhoun (Editor), Joseph Gerteis (Editor), James Moody (Editor), Steven Pfaff (Editor), Kathryn Schmidt (Editor), Indermohan Virk (Editor).

Sociological Theory: Classical Statements (5th Edition)
Book by David Ashley, David Michael Orenstein

Ideology and the Development of Sociological Theory (7th Edition) Book by Irving M. Zeitlin

Structure of Sociological Theory Book by Jonathan H. Turner

Modern Sociological Theory Book by George Ritzer, Douglas J. Goodman

Explorations in Classical Sociological Theory: Seeing the Social World Book by Kenneth Allan

Sociological Theory in the Classical Era : Text and Readings Book by Laura Desfor Edles, Scott Appelrouth

Sociological Theory Book by Bert N. Adams, R. A. Sydie

Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots: The Basics
Book by George Ritzer

Trust: A Sociological Theory (Cambridge Cultural Social Studies)
Book by Piotr Sztompka, Jeffrey C. Alexander (Series Editor), Steven Seidman

The Emergence of Sociological Theory Book by Jonathan H. Turner, Leonard Beeghley, Charles H. Powers

Reviews:

Sociological Theory by George Ritzer (Hardcover - May 19, 2010) Written by one of the foremost authorities on sociological theory, this text gives readers a comprehensive overview of the major theorists and schools of sociological thought. The integration of key theories with biographical sketches of theorists and the requisite historical and intellectual context helps students to better understand the original works of classical and modern theorists as well as to compare and contrast the latest substantive theories.

Classical Sociological Theory by George Ritzer (Paperback - Apr 19, 2010) This text gives readers a comprehensive overview of the major classical theorists and schools of sociological thought. The integration of key theories with biographical sketches of theorists and the requisite historical and intellectual context helps students to better understand the original works of classical authors as well as to compare and contrast classical theories.

The Social Lens: An Invitation to Social and Sociological Theory by Kenneth Allan (Paperback - May 13, 2010) This is an undergraduate social theory textbook organized around the issues of modernity and the influences of Talcott Parsons and the Frankfurt school. Author Kenneth Allan engages students in the history of social change that spawned the major sociological theories and shows how these theories can be applied to current social influences. Chosen for the diversity of their perspectives and their suitability for introducing students to contemporary theory, a wide variety of theorists materialize in the text, with their individual voices vividly intact.

A Primer in Social and Sociological Theory: Toward a Sociology of Citizenship by Kenneth Allan (Paperback - Apr 14, 2010) Organized around the discourses of modernity, democracy, and citizenship, A Primer in Social and Sociological Theory: Toward a Sociology of Citizenship helps readers to develop skills in critical thinking and theory analysis as they explore nine central ideas of thought: modernity, society, self, religion, capitalism, power, gender, race, and globalization. Each chapter concludes with a section that discusses the craft of citizenship as it relates to the chapter content.

Contemporary Social and Sociological Theory: Visualizing Social Worlds by Kenneth Allan. Written in a conversational style that conveys the author’s enthusiam for theory, this updated edition of Kenneth Allan's acclaimed text appeals to the reader to consider the “theoretical you,” as an individual in 21st-century society. This book introduces students to an array of social theories, each presented from the perspectives of these well-known theorists. Filled with examples drawn from daily life, this edition highlights diversity in contemporary society, exploring theories of race, gender, and sexuality that address today's most important social concerns. Students will learn to “think theoretically” and apply theory to their own lives.

Classical Theory and Modern Studies: Introduction to Sociological Theory by Mark Abrahamson (Paperback - Jun 22, 2009) Classical Theory and Modern Studies discusses the ideas and insights of major figures in the classical period of sociological theory, and explores their continuing relevance to contemporary sociology.

Introduction to Sociological Theory: Theorists, Concepts, and their Applicability to the Twenty-First Century by Michele Dillon (Sep 28, 2009)
"This textbook is a winner. It takes a sociologist accomplished at her craft and with a genuine mastery of the relevant literature to write a social theory text that does justice to the richness of the material while successfully making it accessible to undergraduate readers. This book clearly reveals that Michele Dillon is such a sociologist. –Peter Kivisto, Augustana College
“Impressive in scope and intellectually serious, Michele Dillon’s introduction to sociological theory is also really engaging. Her judgment about what to include is excellent. She clarifies key concepts without oversimplifying and integrates without flattening important differences in perspective. This should be a leading text for all theory teachers to consider.”
–Craig Calhoun, New York University
Combining carefully chosen primary quotes with extensive discussion and everyday illustrative examples, this book provides an in-depth introduction to classical and contemporary theory.
Uses a wide range of newspaper examples to illustrate the relevance to sociological theory

Contemporary Sociological Theory: Expanding the Classical Tradition (6th Edition) Book by Ruth A.Wallace, Alison Wolf
Examines the assumptions and concepts of the five major sociological theories and the classical roots of the modern theories. Focuses on functionalism, conflict theory, theories of rational choice, symbolic interactionism, and phenomenology. The book also features examples of research based on actual theory, direct quotations from major theorists, and feminist contributions and critiques on each major perspective. The fifth edition of Contemporary Sociological Theory: Continuing the Classical Tradition has been revised to include more feminist contributions, a new chapter on Evolution and Modernity: Macrosociological Perspectives, and updated material on Rediscovering the Body. An essential reference for every professional whose work is related to sociology.

Sociological Theory Book by George Ritzer, Douglas J. Goodman
Gives readers a comprehensive overview of the major classical theorists and contemporary schools of sociological thought. It spans the history of sociological theory from its inception to the latest theoretical developments. The sixth edition has been thoroughly updated and revised to reflect current debates in sociology and includes completely new sections on Actor-Network theory, neo-Marxian theories of space, chaos in social theory and theories of globalization.

Contemporary Sociological Theory (Blackwell Readers in Sociology)
Edition May 2002 Book by Craig Calhoun (Editor), Joseph Gerteis (Editor), James Moody (Editor), Steven Pfaff (Editor), Kathryn Schmidt (Editor), Indermohan Virk (Editor). Thorough collection of contemporary sociological theory is the definitive guide to current perspectives and approaches in the field. Organized by theme, the volume includes the most representative material available on topics such as symbolic interactionism, phenomenology, structuralism, network theory, critical theory, feminist theory, and the current debates over modernity and postmodernity. Theories of Foucault, Giddens, and Bourdieu also appear in longer sections, enabling students and scholars to examine the work in greater depth. This book in conjunction with its complement, Classical Sociological Theory, offers readers a complete overview of sociological theory.

Ideology and the Development of Sociological Theory (7th Edition) Book by Irving M. Zeitlin
This book provides complete, systematic expositions of the classical sociological thinkers, theories, and concepts--from the 18th-century Enlightenment to the 20th century. It features broad, extended, and balanced coverage of both the European theorists of Social Structure as well as the Classical American Theorists of Social Psychology. For anyone interested in Classical Social Theory and Classical Principles of Social Psychology.

Structure of Sociological Theory Book by Jonathan H. Turner
This text covers new and emerging aspects of sociological theory and examines the significant contributions of both modern and founding theorists. Seven sections present detailed analyses of key theories and paradigms, including functionalism, evolutionary theory, conflict theory, critical theory, exchange theory, interactionist theory, and structuralism. The Seventh Edition is a less encyclopedic text than the Sixth Edition; despite the in-depth discussions of theorists and their contributions to the field, the text is concise and focused and is appropriate for use in nine- and ten-week courses.

Modern Sociological Theory Book by George Ritzer, Douglas J. Goodman
Written by one of the foremost authorities in the world on sociological theory and a junior colleague (and former student) who specializes, and has already published widely, in theory, this market-leading text gives readers a comprehensive overview of the major contemporary schools of sociological thought. Key theories are integrated with biographical sketches of the lives of theorists to place readings in their personal and historical context for students. This book provides students with the context to understand the diversity of contemporary theory as well as the framework to compare and contrast the newest substantive theories that they have been exposed to in other sociology courses. Thoroughly updated and revised to reflect current debates in sociology and includes completely new sections on Actor-Network theory, neo-Marxian theories of space, chaos in social theory and theories of globalization.

Explorations in Classical Sociological Theory: Seeing the Social World Book by Kenneth Allan
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.
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 theorists’ writings
Explorations in Classical Sociological Theory is a comprehensive, accessible textbook for undergraduate students studying sociological theory.

Sociological Theory in the Classical Era : Text and Readings Book by Laura Desfor Edles, Scott Appelrouth
“Edles and Appelrouth's new book is a major contribution for those striving to help students understand the essential place of theory in the sociological enterprise. It skillfully demonstrates the contemporary relevance of classical theory, elucidates the complex interplay of empirical research and sociological theory, and makes crystal clear that good theory must always be more than idle speculation. - Edward Lehman, New York University
“This is one of the best classical theory texts I've come across. Most undergraduates are unprepared for a serious encounter with the writings of the classical theorists. Rather than respond to this problem with a textbook full of pat summaries, Edles and Appelrouth ingeniously combine the best of the reader and textbook formats. The book thus serves a double purpose: not only will it expose students to the ideas of the classical theorists; it will also help them learn what it really means to read.”
"Sociological Theory in the Classical Era is an ambitious and successful attempt to revitalize the teaching of sociological theory. The scope of primary readings is wide and inclusive.
- Jeffrey Alexander, Yale University
- Neil Gross, Harvard University
Sociological Theory in the Classical Era is a highly-acclaimed new text which utilizes the unique and increasingly popular text/reader approach.
Sociological Theory in the Classical Era is intended for use as the core text in upper-level Classical Sociological Theory courses, or in combined Classical/Contemporary Sociological Theory courses.

Sociological Theory Book by Bert N. Adams, R. A. Sydie
Put simply, although the theory instructor has the paramount responsibility of acquainting her students with major perspectives/concepts, the academic figures responsible for constructing them and the intellectual and social conditions under which they theorized, she needs a good deal of help. Adams and Sydie’s Sociological Theory is one of those books that provide such prop—a good one for that.

Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots: The Basics
Book by George Ritzer
This is the first textbook for sociological theory that is modeled after the texts routinely available for introductory sociology courses. It is concise (although it covers a lot of ground), written in a highly accessible fashion, and includes much of the pedagogy that one expects to find in an introductory text. The book stems from the need of some instructors for a short text to be used in one-semester courses in contemporary sociological theory, or sociological theory more generally.

Trust: A Sociological Theory (Cambridge Cultural Social Studies)
Book by Piotr Sztompka, Jeffrey C. Alexander (Series Editor), Steven Seidman
Professor Sztompka's detailed and systematic study takes account of the rich evolving research on trust, and explains its meaning, foundations and functions. He illustrates and supports his claims with statistical data and his own impressive empirical study of trust, carried out in Poland after the collapse of communism. This conceptually creative and elegant work will be of interest to scholars and students of sociology, political science and social philosophy.

The Emergence of Sociological Theory Jonathan H. Turner, Leonard Beeghley, Charles H. Powers
This scholarly text covers the first one hundred years of sociological theorizing, from 1830-1930, focusing primarily on Comte, Spencer, Marx, Weber, Simmel, Durkheim, Pareto, and Mead. Answers the question, "What do these ideas tell us about the basic forces that shape the social world?" Posing this question for each theorist adds a unique perspective to the text and distinguishes it from other sociological theory books. In addition, this edition includes material on the enduring models and principles of the theorists' work that continue to inform sociological theory today.

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