Classical Sociological Theory - Softcover

Craig Calhoun

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1405148543 ISBN 13: 9781405148542

Publisher: Blackwell Publishing, 2007

Synopsis

This comprehensive collection of classical sociological theory is a definitive guide to the roots of sociology from its undisciplined beginnings to its current guideposts and reference points in contemporary sociological debate. A definitive guide to the roots of sociology through a collection of key writings from the founders of the discipline Explores influential works of Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Mead, Simmel, Freud, Du Bois, Adorno, Marcuse, Parsons, and Merton Editorial introductions lend historical and intellectual perspective to the substantial readings Includes a new section with new readings on the immediate "pre–history" of sociological theory, including the Enlightenment and de Tocqueville Individual reading selections are updated throughout

About this title

Review:

Praise for the first edition:
"Calhoun and his collaborators have produced the best theory reader there is.
Philip Gorski, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Praise for this edition:
Comprehensive but judicious, the editors have established the definitive canon of what is important in classical sociology. An invaluable contribution to teaching and to the appreciation of the classical tradition, the second edition is essential reading. Through its inclusive understanding of the history of social thought, it demonstrates forcefully why we should continue reading the classical texts.
Bryan S. Turner , editor of The Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology

From the Back Cover:

This comprehensive collection of classical sociological theory is a definitive guide to the roots of sociology. The volume explores the pioneering minds of Marx, Durkheim, and Weber, who developed our modern idea of society; and looks at the powerful influence of the works of early sociologists Mead, Simmel, Freud, and Du Bois. It concludes with the major works and theoretical perspectives of the mid–twentieth century, including those of Adorno, Marcuse, Parsons, and Merton. As a whole, the reader traces the evolution of social science from its undisciplined beginnings to its current guideposts and reference points in contemporary sociological debate.

Updated throughout, this second edition includes selected readings which provide clearer introductions to classical theory, providing examples and showing connections to current sociology. This title s approach of giving substantial primary source texts rather than merely snippets, and backing these up with generous introductions, is maintained in this new edition. There is an entirely new section with new readings on the immediate pre–history of sociological theory, including the Enlightenment and de Tocqueville. Editorial introductions lend historical and intellectual perspective to the readings, making this an authoritative and compact survey of the most representative works of classical social theory, and an essential text for undergraduate courses.

Classical Sociological Theory, in conjunction with its complement, Contemporary Sociological Theory, offers readers a complete overview of sociological theory.

About this edition

• Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1405148543
• ISBN 13: 9781405148542
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 512
• Editor: Craig Calhoun, Joseph Gerteis, James Moody, Steven Pfaff, Indermohan Virk