INTRODUCING SOCIAL THEORY 2E

This revised edition of Pip Jones's extremely popular introduction to social theory, now benefiting from the collaboration of Shaun Le Boutillier and Liz Bradbury, has been carefully and thoroughly updated with the latest developments in this continually changing field. Written in a refreshingly lucid and engaging style, Introducing Social Theory provides readers with a wide-ranging, well organized and thematic introduction to all the major thinkers, issues and debates in classical and contemporary social theory.

Introducing Social Theory traces the development of social theorizing from the classical ideas about modernity of Durkheim, Marx and Weber, right up to a uniquely accessible review of contemporary theoretical controversies in sociology surrounding post-modernity and reflexive sociology. With great clarity, the authors explain the ideas of seminal thinkers such as Foucault, Bauman, Habermas, Beck, Bourdieu and Giddens, as well as paying increased attention to other important contributions from theorists such as Margaret Archer, Fredric Jameson and George Ritzer.

Introducing Social Theory is the ideal textbook for students at all levels taking courses in sociology, from A-level students to undergraduates, who are looking to engage with social theory. Remarkably easy to follow and understand, the new edition lives up to its predecessor's goal that students need never be intimidated by social theory again.

Pip Jones is a former Principal Lecturer in Sociology at Anglia Ruskin University
Liz Bradbury is Principal Lecturer in Sociology at Anglia Ruskin University
Shaun Le Boutillier is Principal Lecturer in Sociology at Anglia Ruskin University

1. An Introduction to Sociological Theories
2. Marx and Marxism
3. Emile Durkheim
4. Max Weber
5. Interpretive Sociology: Action Theories
6. Michel Foucault: Language, Discourse Theory and the Body-Centredness of Modernity
7. Social Structures and Social Action
8. Post-Modernity, Postmodernism and its Critics
9. Re-thinking Modernity
10. Feminist and Gender Theories
Postscript
Glossary
Bibliography
Index