The Blackwell Companion to Major Social Theorists (Wiley Blackwell Companions to Sociology) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0631207104 ISBN 13: 9780631207108

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 1991

Synopsis

The Companion to Major Social Theorists offers a broad-ranging survey of classical and contemporary social theory. In original essays especially commissioned for this volume, leading experts and practitioners examine the life and work of 25 major theorists, discussing the social and intellectual context of their writings and offering an analysis of the impact of their work over time.

• Includes 25 original essays on major classical and contemporary social theorists
• Contributions are especially commissioned for this volume, and are by leading experts and practitioners in the field
• Covers the key figures who shaped classical social theory, such as Marx, Weber and Durkheim, as well as figures such as Martineau, DuBois, and Simmel
• Dedicates coverage is given to contemporary social theorists, including Goffman, Elias, Foucault, Giddens, Bourdieu and Butler
• Essays include biographical sketches, the social and intellectual context, and the impact of the theorist's work on social theory
• Includes bibliographies of the theorist's most important works as well as key secondary works
• Edited by a leading figure in social theory, this volume provides an outstanding one-volume reference source in social theory.

About this title

About the Author

George Ritzer is Professor of Sociology at the University of Maryland. He has chaired both the Theoretical and the Organizations and Occupations sections of the American Sociological Association, and authored more than 25 books, including Expressing America: A Critique of the Global Credit Card Society (1995), The McDonaldization of Society: An Investigation into the Changing Character of Contemporary Social Life (1995), Classical Sociological Theory (second edition, 1995), and The McDonalization Thesis: Explorations and Extensions (1998).

From the Back Cover

The Blackwell Companion to Major Social Theorists is a survey of classical and contemporary social theory that focuses on the thinkers themselves. In original essays especially commissioned for this volume, leading experts and practitioners examine the life and work of 25 major theorists, discussing the social and intellectual context of their writings and offering an analysis of the impact of their work over time. Each author balances systematic treatment of a particular theorist with personal interpretations of the theorist’s work.

By grouping the selected theorists into classical and contemporary sections, the book gives a sense not only of where social theory once was, but where it is heading. The canon is broadened with the inclusion of several social thinkers not ordinarily found in such a volume: classical theorists such as Martineau, Gilman, and DuBois; and contemporary theorists such as Elias, Baudrillard, Bell, and Butler. Each chapter includes bibliographies of the theorists' most important works, as well as of key secondary works. For the student, scholar, or practitioner, this Companion offers an indispensable resource and reference to the life and times of the thinkers who have tried to make sense of our social surroundings.

By grouping the selected theorists into classical and contemporary sections, the book gives a sense not only of where social theory once was, but where it is heading. The canon is broadened with the inclusion of several social thinkers not ordinarily found in such a volume: classical theorists such as Martineau, Gilman, and DuBois; and contemporary theorists such as Elias, Baudrillard, Bell, and Butler. Each chapter includes bibliographies of the theorists' most important works, as well as of key secondary works. For the student, scholar, or practitioner, this Companion offers an indispensable resource and reference to the life and times of the thinkers who have tried to make sense of our social surroundings.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0631207104
• ISBN 13: 9780631207108
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 820
• Editor: Ritzer George