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In Defence of Sociology
Essays, Interpretations and Rejoinders
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In Defence of Sociology
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Ideal for undergraduates and professionals in sociology, anthropology, and political science seeking a thoughtful defence and overview of sociological theory and practice.
Looking both to the past of sociology and the diversity of intellectual trends found in the present-day, the book explores many aspects of the sociological heritage. Comte, Durkheim, Parsons, Marshall and Habermas are among the figures covered.
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Description
Is there a future for sociology? To many, sociology seems to have lost its way. Born of the ideas of Auguste Comte in the nineteenth century, sociology established itself as 'the science of modernity', linked to a progressive view of history. Yet today the idea of progress has more or less collapsed; with its demise, some say, sociological thought has moved to the margins of contemporary intellectual culture.
In In Defence of Sociology, the author challenges such an interpretation, showing that sociology continues to hold a central position within the social sciences. Looking both to the past of sociology and the diversity of intellectual trends found in the present day, Giddens explores many aspects of the sociological heritage. Comte, Durkheim, Parsons, Marshall, and Habermas are among the figures covered. Giddens also connects sociological work directly to current political issues and places the discipline of sociology in the context of broad questions of social and political theory.
This book will be of interest to undergraduates and professionals in the fields of sociology, anthropology and political science.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Times Higher Education Supplement calls it "excellently understandable." The Times Literary Supplement praises it as "a powerful restatement" of sociology's role today. The Australian highlights it as "reflective sociological theorising at its finest," and Thesis Eleven notes the "erudition and enormous breadth of analysis" presented in an accessible style.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780745617626
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 09 November 1996
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Polity Press
Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 26.0mm
Width: 155.0mm
Height: 229.0mm
Weight: 567g
Pages: 296
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About the Author
Anthony Giddens is a British sociologist who is known for his theory of structuration and his holistic view of modern societies.
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