Sociological work;: Method and substance - Softcover

Becker, Howard Saul

Softcover

ISBN 10: 020230096X ISBN 13: 9780202300962

Publisher: Aldine Pub. Co, 1970

Synopsis

The papers in this volume represent most of Howard Becker's work of the past twenty years that has not appeared in book form. They reflect the way of thinking about and studying society that has established Becker as one of the leading contemporary sociologists. This book is an important statement of the distinctive theoretical and methodological views associated with the "Chicago School" of sociology; it shows a deep concern with the first-hand study of processes and human consequences of collective action and interaction.

The first part of the book treats methodological problems as problems of social interaction and lists a series of research problems requiring analytic attention. Part II illustrates Becker's approach through full reports on two of his major research projects. Four theoretical statements on how people change comprise Part III, and Part IV makes important contributions to the study of deviance. The essays in the latter section illustrate the rjeed to study deviance as part of the general study of society, not as an isolated specialty.

About this title

About the Author

Howard S. Becker taught at numerous universities and authored many books, including Tricks of the Trade, Outsiders, and Art Worlds. He was editor of Social Problems and past president of the Society for the Study of Social Problems.

 

Review

“These papers, conveying as they do two decades of ‘work,’ reveal a man who is increasingly at ease with himself and his materials. Even the choice of title indicates the sense of proportion and balance that has characterized Becker’s efforts. . . . Becker’s work is not only eminently political, but frankly humanitarian. . . . Sociological Work is a rich resource. It requires no defense and warrants no assaults. . . . It needs only to be read and understood.”

—Irving Louis Horowitz, American Sociological Review 

“[A] refreshing departure from mundane approaches with a priori ‘correct’ methods. . . . Becker’s contact with reality is amply evidenced in his descriptions of social positions and circumstances. He brings to light perspectives which would seem difficult to derive without actually being in the positions described.”

—Edward Silvio Emery, Social Science

Edition details

• Publisher: Aldine Pub. Co
• Publication date: 1970
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 020230096X
• ISBN 13: 9780202300962
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 358