Sociology - Softcover

GIDDENS

Softcover

ISBN 10: 074560546X ISBN 13: 9780745605463

Publisher: Polity Press, 1989

Synopsis

This book is written at a level accessible to everyone and concentrates upon gaining the interest of the reader. The author, a sociologist of international repute, has brought his experience to bear upon producing an innovative text. All the conventional areas of sociology are covered, but the author gives special attention to the new developments in the subject which have occurred during the late 1970s and 1980s. Notable features of the book are a stress upon the recovery of a historical perspective in sociology, emphasis upon the significance of global developments in social life, and systematic discussion of areas of analysis usually absent from textbooks in the subject, such as military power and war, or communications and the mass media. The book also strongly emphasizes a comparative perspective. `Sociology' is thoroughly up-to-date in terms of exhaustive references to current empirical materials. It is suitable for all A level students, first-year college FE students and undergraduates looking for an accessible, well-researched and up-to-date text, written with style and flair.

About this title

Review

This latest version of Anthony Giddens′s classic textbook will register as strongly with students and lecturers as its predecessors; Giddens weaves together with consummate skill an authoritative introductory account of the discipline of sociology and an engaging narrative of social change in the contemporary world, centred around the notion of globalization. The inclusion of relevant websites is a particularly welcome innovation. The text speaks for the world we live in and is admirably designed to fire the "sociological imagination" of students.′ Harriet Bradley, Reader in Sociology, University of Bristol

′I′ve always found Giddens to be one of the more readable A–level authors and the new edition of Sociology builds on this basic strength of the previous edition ... The general layout is now more conceptual, with sub–headings and short paragraphs being extensively used throughout; summaries, "questions for further thought" and "Further Reading" material also appear at the end of each chapter ... Overall, as ever with Giddens, this is a textbook "about Sociology" ... in this respect, it′s a wide–ranging, sometimes esoteric, text that engages the reader throughout.′ Sociology Central

"This book has already become a standard reference among introductory books of sociology. Its great acceptance does not only arise from the fact that Giddens is an internationally recognized author, with a number of books in the area of general sociology and of more recent debates on globalization and modern society, but mainly refers to the reach and innovative format of the work." International Sociology

"Giddens writes like he talks. His working life has been spent talking to undergraduates, so he is able to communicate on their level without speaking down," The Times Higher

"Giddens has endeavoured to pitch his textbook at the ′cutting edge′ of sociology and he has succeeded." The Times Higher

"Giddens is fast becoming synonymous with UK sociology. He is one of the few living UK sociologists about whom other sociologist write books. It is remarkable that he remains very much a working sociologists while being director of the London School of Economics, and he is doing more than just keeping in touch. He is one of our few genuine public intellectuals. His reputation is as a theorist, but he also writes for students. In fact, students now can do sociology without straying far beyond him." The Times Higher

From the Back Cover

Sociology is the leading introduction in its field in the world today. The new fourth edition preserves, and further enhances, the book′s striking qualities – its lucidity, liveliness, comprehensiveness and originality.

This edition incorporates many new materials. All the empirical data are the latest available. In its original edition, the book was the first text to incorporate a treatment of cutting–edge areas of the subject, such as the impact of globalization. The new edition is equally innovative: it is the first textbook in sociology fully to come to terms with the impact of the internet and the new economy. An analysis of these developments is fed into many of the chapters.

The fourth edition also includes a diversity of new chapters, sections and topics. There are new chapters, for example, on poverty and social exclusion and on ecological problems. As with previous editions, the book maintains a strongly comparative orientation, with materials drawn from a variety of different societies and cultures across the world. Even more emphasis has been given to sociological theory than in previous editions. The chapters specifically devoted to theory discuss classical figures but include treatment of recent authors such as Ulrich Beck, Manuel Castells as well as Anthony Giddens′s own contribution to sociological theory.

For the first time, the book will be accompanied by a companion website, which will provide online support for users of Sociology – both lecturers and students. From the site, lecturers will be able to download an instructor′s manual and a variety of invaluable teaching aids, including powerpoint slides featuring maps, graphs and figures from the text and sets of sample essay questions and multiple choice questions for lecturer customization. Students will find chapter–by–chapter web links to important internet resources, on–line quizzes and competitions and a whole range of other learning facilities.

As a result, Sociology is a state–of–the–art introduction to the subject. Written by one of the world′s leading sociologists, the book combines innovation and accessibility in a way rivalled by no other text.

Please visit the accompanying website at: http://www.polity.co.uk/giddens

Edition details

• Publisher: Polity Press
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 074560546X
• ISBN 13: 9780745605463
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 704