Contested Knowledge: Social Theory Today - Softcover

Seidman, Steven

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0631226710 ISBN 13: 9780631226710

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2007

Synopsis

Contested Knowledge has established itself as a leading text that brings social theory into the present day by providing the most up to date perspectives on social theory by one of the most important thinkers of our time, Steven Seidman.

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• Responds to current issues, debates, and new social movements.
  
• Reviews sociological theory from a truly contemporary perspective.
  
• Covers both classical and contemporary theories.
  
• Combines social analysis and moral advocacy, and demonstrates how social theory can contribute to the making of a better world.
  
• Challenges social scientists to renew their commitment to viewing social knowledge as playing an important moral and political role in public life.
  
• Revised new edition organizes contents more appealingly for students, and includes an insightful new chapter on social theory today and short biographies on major social thinkers.

About this title

About the Author

Steven Seidman is Professor of Sociology at State University of New York at Albany. He is a world renowned social theorist working in the areas of social theory, culture, sexuality, comparative sociology, theory of democracy, nationalism and globalization. He is the author and editor of several books including Embattled Eros: Sexual Politics and Ethics in Contemporary America (1992), The Postmodern Turn : New Perspectives on Social Theory (editor, 1995), Queer Theory/Sociology (Blackwell, 1996), The New Social Theory Reader: Contemporary Debates (edited with Jeffrey C. Alexander, 2001), and Beyond the Closet: The Transformation of Gay and Lesbian Life (2002).

From the Back Cover

Contested Knowledge has established itself as a leading text that brings social theory into the present day by providing the most up-to-date perspectives on social theory by one of the most important thinkers of our time, Steven Seidman. The book tracks the work of the major figures in the field, from the classical sociologists – Durkheim, Marx, Weber – to contemporary theorists, including Giddens, Foucault, Bourdieu, and Judith Butler. Through exploring contemporary social theories and movements (including feminism, poststructuralism, African-American thought, and queer theory), the author presents a compelling new approach to the tradition of sociological theory and its established canon.

Contested Knowledge combines social analysis and moral advocacy, showing how social theory can and does – and sometimes doesn’t – work within the public and political sphere. This third edition has been reorganized to be even more accessible for the student. The book now includes sections on white studies, masculinity studies, critical heterosexuality studies, and a section on Empire. There is also a new chapter on social theory today, as well as invaluable section introductions, and 33 short biographies on major social theorists.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0631226710
• ISBN 13: 9780631226710
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 296