Contemporary Sociological Theory
- Jonathan H. Turner - University of California, Riverside, USA
- Unlike many texts, coverage is comprehensive and deep. The theories and their origins are examined in detail so that readers can fully understand the origins and present profile of theories in present-day sociology.
- Unlike many texts that skim over theories on the surface, this book seeks to unlock for the reader their underlying structure of each theory. The book is written in a modular format so that theories and traditions can be examined in any order, and in many diverse combinations.
- If desired, only the contemporary theories can be read without attention to their historical contexts, or the reverse is true if readers want to understand the historical origins of a particular theoretical tradition.
Since Jonathan Turner is an active theorist in his own right, he brings to the book an appreciation of how theories are created as an insider rather than as only a commentator on theory. As such, he is able to bring out the underlying assumptions, structure, and form of a theory in new and interesting ways for casual readers and scholars alike.
Another very useful reference book, which I find myself regularly using for my own work. A good book for students to access when considering particular sociological ideas and thinkers.
A useful book however content too complex for my area and context
We really enjoyed this book and will be using it on both the L3 and Y1 degree course as recommended reading.
The book surveys all the theories taught in class but Bauman's Liquid Modernity. The texts are very clear, so I recommend the students to read the book at home although it is not a mandatory reading.
This is a large, comprehensive book that will appeal to students researching arts-based topics with potential for sociological interpretation. I particularly value that it is organized according to theoretical approach. This puts similar/comparable approaches side by side, and correspondingly highlights theories from different analytical traditions. This latter is especially useful for novice researchers who sometimes fail to see the fundamental differences in approaches that treat of similar cases. Slightly surprised at the absence of Bloor, but maybe that just shows my own interests: one cannot include everyone!
An excellent detailed text which helps to explain and illustrate sociological theories. This has been recommended as supplementary reading for post grad students undertaking their qualitative research module.
well-structured and clear - covers the major sociological theories and is a useful starting point for students.
I need a text that covers primarily the classical era but that also includes 20th century American theories, including exchange, status characteristics, feminist theory, and Bourdieu.
This book is a great companion for students who wish to further their knowledge of social theory.
For me it has proven an invaluable resource.
Comprehensive text of contemporary theory
