Synopsis
The Second Edition of Symbols, Selves, and Social Reality introduces students to the symbolic interactionist perspective in sociology. This book differs from other texts on interactionism in several important respects. First, it offers a stronger empirical focus, linking discussions of the central ideas and premises of symbolic interactionism to pertinent research, including ethnographic studies conducted by each of the authors. Second, the book emphasizes topics that are inherently interesting to students, such as the dynamics of self-development, impression management, identity transformation, gender play, rumor transmission, and collective action. Third, it includes an analysis of the changing nature and experience of selfhood in contemporary society. Fourth, the authors provide a useful set of pedagogical tools at the end of each chapter, including a summary of key points and concepts, a glossary of key terms, a list of suggested readings, and questions for reflection and discussion. Finally,Symbols, Selves, and Social Reality offers a discussion of the personal relevance of symbolic interactionism, its salience for social policy, its broadening theoretical scope, and its relationship to new and increasingly prominent perspectives emerging within sociology.
The new edition covers an even broader range of ideas and topics than the First Edition. It also features several updated sections and boxed inserts. These address such topics as:
* The impact of postmodernity on students' experiences of self.
* The dynamics of mass panics.
* Status passages experienced by students.
* Ethnomethodology and the construction of reality.
* The necessity of language.
* Internet technologies and their effects on interaction.
* New methods of ethnographic analysis.
* The dramatic elements of social movements.
* The value and future of interactionism.
Review
"The primary strength of this text is that it is written by established scholars who are also gifted teachers. Their pedagogical gifts show up in the writing of the text from cover to cover. The voice that they develop is one of a mentor writing to an apprentice. Their approach invariably encourages students to reflect critically on everyday life. The text is designed with how the classroom and how courses really work: it is flexible, thoughtful, and packed full of 'future directions, ' questions, and even activity ideas that allow individual teachers to modify the text to their and their students' needs."--Karla Erickson, Grinnell College"It is nothing short of astounding that Symbols, Selves, and Social Reality is so thorough a review of interactionism. I am amazed at how easily the authors include such volumes of information--yet the material is never overwhelming. . . . This text is an excellent resource for sociologically oriented social psychology courses. It deftly and thoroughly pairs accessible discussion of interactionist theories, methods, and concepts with contemporary case-study applications. That approach alone is praiseworthy, but combined with genuine prose and material that students can relate to, Symbols, Selves, and Social Reality deserves more than praise. It deserves to be required reading."--Bryce Merrill, University of Colorado, Boulder"Symbols, Selves, and Social Reality is an essential resource for helping students gain an in-depth understanding of the historical development, guiding propositions, and contemporary vibrancy of the perspective of symbolic interactionism."--John Baugher, University of Southern Maine "The primary strength of this text is that it is written by established scholars who are also gifted teachers. Their pedagogical gifts show up in the writing of the text from cover to cover. The voice that they develop is one of a mentor writing to an apprentice. Their approach invariably encourages students to reflect critically on everyday life. The text is designed with how the classroom and how courses really work: it is flexible, thoughtful, and packed full of 'future directions, ' questions, and even activity ideas that allow individual teachers to modify the text to their and their students' needs."--Karla Erickson, Grinnell College "It is nothing short of astounding that Symbols, Selves, and Social Reality is so thorough a review of interactionism. I am amazed at how easily the authors include such volumes of information--yet the material is never overwhelming. . . . This text is an excellent resource for sociologically oriented social psychology courses. It deftly and thoroughly pairs accessible discussion of interactionist theories, methods, and concepts with contemporary case-study applications. That approach alone is praiseworthy, but combined with genuine prose and material that students can relate to, Symbols, Selves, and Social Reality deserves more than praise. It deserves to be required reading."--Bryce Merrill, University of Colorado, Boulder "Symbols, Selves, and Social Reality is an essential resource for helping students gain an in-depth understanding of the historical development, guiding propositions, and contemporary vibrancy of the perspective of symbolic interactionism."--John Baugher, University of Southern Maine
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