Contemporary Sociological Theory: Continuing the Classical Tradition (Spectrum Book)

Designed to teach the basic assumptions and concepts of sociological theory, this volume provides an examination of the theoretical perspectives in contemporary sociology and their roots in classical theory. It focuses specifically on the areas of functionalism, conflict theory, exchange theory, symbolic interactionism, and phenomenology, and describes the central ideas and arguments of contemporary and classical theorists working in these areas. This third edition includes new features including feminist contributions and critiques, sections on recent theories of rational choice, a social theory of emotion, and neofunctionalism, expanded discussions of Jurgen Habermas, the structuration theory of Anthony Giddens, and the contributions of Simmel, Durkheim, Thomas and Goffman. More extensive coverage of contemporary European theorists such as Bourdieu and Boudon is also included.