Illuminating Social Life - 9781412978156

This supplemental text for undergraduate courses in sociological theory will help students majoring or minoring in sociology to use theory to make sense of real-life issues such as the Internet, alcohol use, shopping malls, and bodybuilding. The 13 essays collected are written by current theorists illustrating the connection between research, theory, and issues. Part 1 offers four chapters on the theories of four influential figures from the formative period in the history of sociology (Marx, Weber, Durkheim, and Simmel), and connects their ideas to contemporary social conditions such as electronic gatherings and the McDonaldization of society. In part 2, contemporary theories are connected to the classics with 10 chapters devoted to 10 modern theoretical orientations, such as neofunctionalism, exchange theory, and postmodernism. Each section begins with a substantial introduction linking the applied essays to a complete review of the classical and modern social theories used in the book. Essays open with a b&w photo and close with discussion questions. This fifth edition offers two new chapters on symbolic interactionism and race-based critical theory. Kivisto is chair of sociology at Augustana College. Pine Forge Press is an imprint of SAGE Publications. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)