The Virtual Self: A Contemporary Sociology (21st Century Sociology) - Hardcover

Agger, Ben

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0631216480 ISBN 13: 9780631216483

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2003

Synopsis

The Virtual Self is an engaging and exciting text that addresses issues relating to our rapidly changing society, social structure, and communication needs. In doing so, it addresses major issues in sociology that inform virtually all of a student’s course work.

• Introduces students to concepts of the self and society in an age of rapid technology and high speed communication
• Examines the relationship between everyday life and social structure in key domains of communication, personality, work/family, leisure and entertainment, and economics
• Written in a lively, engaging style for readers without a sociological background

About this title

Book Description:

The Virtual Self is a concise, critical introduction to social life in an age of rapid technology and high speed communication. It addresses a fundamental question of our time: is contemporary society significantly different from the society that formed the theories and basic concepts of the founders of sociology? Our rapidly changing society requires innovative sociological concepts, and this book proposes 'the end of the social', a time somewhere between modernity and postmodernity when we can no longer assume that people inhabit a public sphere of civic discourse.The Virtual Self addresses major issues in sociology that inform virtually all of a student's course work. Of central concern is the relationship between everyday life and social structure in key domains of communication, personality, work/family, leisure and entertainment, and economics. At the same time, the book advances an argument about our stage of civilization, joining dialogue with critical thinkers and theorists who bemoan the loss of community and civic discourse. These perspectives from critical theory and postmodernism are introduced in readable, digestible ways as discussions are linked to standard sociological concerns such as the relationship between self and society.Written in a lively, accessible style, The Virtual Self presumes no sociological background and cites ample literature for further reference. Students and scholars will find it an engaging and exciting text.

From the Back Cover:

The Virtual Self is a concise, critical introduction to social life in an age of rapid technology and high speed communication. It addresses a fundamental question of our time: is contemporary society significantly different from the society that formed the theories and basic concepts of the founders of sociology?

The Virtual Self addresses major issues in sociology that inform virtually all of a student’s course work. Of central concern is the relationship between everyday life and social structure in key domains of communication, personality, work/family, leisure and entertainment, and economics. At the same time, the book advances an argument about our stage of civilization, joining dialogue with critical thinkers and theorists who bemoan the loss of community and civic discourse. These perspectives from critical theory and postmodernism are introduced in readable, digestible ways as discussions are linked to standard sociological concerns such as the relationship between self and society.

Written in a lively, accessible style, The Virtual Self presumes no sociological background and cites ample literature for further reference. Students and scholars will find it an engaging and exciting text.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0631216480
• ISBN 13: 9780631216483
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 216