The Uses of Sociology (Sociology and Society) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0631233148 ISBN 13: 9780631233145

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2002

Synopsis

The Uses of Sociology discusses whether sociological knowledge is important. It introduces students to the main ways in which sociology is practised in the world and explores the major debates concerning its social purposes.

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• Explores questions concerning the usefulness of sociology and the problems involved in engaging in social intervention.
  
• Includes readings which students can use to evaluate the usefulness of different sociological perspectives.
  
• Compares and contrasts different sociological traditions, and their engagements with ‘the social'.
  
• Forms part of a four-book series on sociology and society.

For more information about this book and the Sociology & Society series, visit the accompanying website at http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/ou

About this title

About the Author

Peter Hamilton is Lecturer in Sociology at The Open University. He played a key role in developing sociology at The Open University, and in sociology publishing more generally. His recent publications include The Beautiful and the Damned (with Roger Hargreaves) (2001).

Kenneth Thompson is Professor in Sociology at The Open University. He was one of the founders of sociology at The Open University and is co-President of the International Sociological Association Research Committee on Sociological Theory. His previous publications include Moral Panics (1999).

From the Back Cover

The Uses of Sociology discusses whether sociological knowledge is important. It introduces students to the main ways in which sociology is practised in the world and explores the major debates concerning its social purposes. Comparing and contrasting different traditions of sociological thought, the authors examine the different modes in which they engage with the social.

Questions considered include the relevance of sociological knowledge to government, the public sphere, the media, economic life, social movements, "race" and ethnicity. The text also discusses related issues, such as whether sociology is a science or a cultural endeavour, and whether sociological research and analysis can be detached and unbiased. Each specially written chapter is supported by carefully-selected readings, enabling students to evaluate the usefulness of different sociological perspectives.

Questions considered include the relevance of sociological knowledge to government, the public sphere, the media, economic life, social movements, "race" and ethnicity. The text also discusses related issues, such as whether sociology is a science or a cultural endeavour, and whether sociological research and analysis can be detached and unbiased. Each specially written chapter is supported by carefully-selected readings, enabling students to evaluate the usefulness of different sociological perspectives.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0631233148
• ISBN 13: 9780631233145
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 360
• Editor: Hamilton Peter, Thompson Kenneth