Sociology :
Albrow, Martin.
Sociology : the basics / Martin Albrow. - London ; New York : Routledge, 1999. - xiv, 203 p. : ill. ; 21 cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1 The nature of human society 1 --
The world and society 2 --
From species to humanity 5 --
Humankind and culture 5 --
Sex and gender 8 --
Evolution and history 11 --
Shaping the world 13 --
Money and capital 13 --
Institutions and collectivities 17 --
Countries and nations 20 --
The globe 21 --
Human society in practice 23 --
Social relations 23 --
Types of human association 25 --
Constructing and performing society 27 --
2 The science of sociology 31 --
The rise of the discipline 31 --
Science and reality 31 --
Origins 34 --
Paradigms and discourse 37 --
Methods of research 41 --
Theory and metaphor 41 --
Concepts in research 43 --
Explanation 46 --
Triangulation 49 --
Intellectual craftsmanship 52 --
Professional practice 56 --
Ideology and objectivity 56 --
Freedom for values 59 --
Professionalism 62 --
Lifelong learning 65 --
3 Sociological theory 69 --
Old and new directions 69 --
The old theoretical agenda 69 --
The contemporary problem for theory 72 --
The unit of analysis 75 --
Power and critique 77 --
Constituting society 81 --
Ideal types 81 --
Mediation 84 --
Sociation 90 --
Structuration 94 --
Boundaries and identities 99 --
Difference 99 --
Identity 101 --
Trust 103 --
4 Social institutions 107 --
From functions to practices 107 --
Institutions in practice 107 --
Institutional theory 110 --
Changes in the life-spheres 114 --
Beyond state societies 114 --
Work for human needs 119 --
Environment as global risk 126 --
The autonomy of culture 131 --
Persons and God 135 --
Beyond institutionalism 138 --
5 Society in the future 141 --
Open futures 141 --
The ignorance society 141 --
The control freaks 143 --
Accounting for change 145 --
Surviving the present 145 --
Grand narrative 149 --
The future of capitalism 153 --
Capitalist society 153 --
The limits of capitalism 155 --
Scenarios 159 --
Towards a human society 163 --
Specialisation and reductionism 163 --
Precarious humanity 165 --
The way ahead 166. TOC
Summary:
This is a book for anyone who wants to know what sociology is and what sociologists do. In a subject which has changed dramatically over the last twenty years, Sociology: The Basics offers the most up-to-date guide to the major topics and areas of debate. It covers among other things: sociology and society; laws, morality and science; social relations; power and communication; society in the future becoming a sociologist. Clearly written, concise and comprehensive, Sociology: The Basics is an essential introductory handbook.
0415172632 (hb) 0415172640 (pb) 9780415172639
98056183
Sociology.
HM1 / .A625 1999
301 / ALS 1999
Sociology : the basics / Martin Albrow. - London ; New York : Routledge, 1999. - xiv, 203 p. : ill. ; 21 cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1 The nature of human society 1 --
The world and society 2 --
From species to humanity 5 --
Humankind and culture 5 --
Sex and gender 8 --
Evolution and history 11 --
Shaping the world 13 --
Money and capital 13 --
Institutions and collectivities 17 --
Countries and nations 20 --
The globe 21 --
Human society in practice 23 --
Social relations 23 --
Types of human association 25 --
Constructing and performing society 27 --
2 The science of sociology 31 --
The rise of the discipline 31 --
Science and reality 31 --
Origins 34 --
Paradigms and discourse 37 --
Methods of research 41 --
Theory and metaphor 41 --
Concepts in research 43 --
Explanation 46 --
Triangulation 49 --
Intellectual craftsmanship 52 --
Professional practice 56 --
Ideology and objectivity 56 --
Freedom for values 59 --
Professionalism 62 --
Lifelong learning 65 --
3 Sociological theory 69 --
Old and new directions 69 --
The old theoretical agenda 69 --
The contemporary problem for theory 72 --
The unit of analysis 75 --
Power and critique 77 --
Constituting society 81 --
Ideal types 81 --
Mediation 84 --
Sociation 90 --
Structuration 94 --
Boundaries and identities 99 --
Difference 99 --
Identity 101 --
Trust 103 --
4 Social institutions 107 --
From functions to practices 107 --
Institutions in practice 107 --
Institutional theory 110 --
Changes in the life-spheres 114 --
Beyond state societies 114 --
Work for human needs 119 --
Environment as global risk 126 --
The autonomy of culture 131 --
Persons and God 135 --
Beyond institutionalism 138 --
5 Society in the future 141 --
Open futures 141 --
The ignorance society 141 --
The control freaks 143 --
Accounting for change 145 --
Surviving the present 145 --
Grand narrative 149 --
The future of capitalism 153 --
Capitalist society 153 --
The limits of capitalism 155 --
Scenarios 159 --
Towards a human society 163 --
Specialisation and reductionism 163 --
Precarious humanity 165 --
The way ahead 166. TOC
Summary:
This is a book for anyone who wants to know what sociology is and what sociologists do. In a subject which has changed dramatically over the last twenty years, Sociology: The Basics offers the most up-to-date guide to the major topics and areas of debate. It covers among other things: sociology and society; laws, morality and science; social relations; power and communication; society in the future becoming a sociologist. Clearly written, concise and comprehensive, Sociology: The Basics is an essential introductory handbook.
0415172632 (hb) 0415172640 (pb) 9780415172639
98056183
Sociology.
HM1 / .A625 1999
301 / ALS 1999