Blackwell Guide to Social Theory

Author: (English) Turner (Turner, B.S), edited by Li Kang translated
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: This is the second edition of the Blackwell Social Theory Guide. Building on the success of the highly acclaimed previous edition, it adds four new chapters introducing the foundations of social theory, anthropology, phenomenology, and body sociology. The chapters retained from the previous edition have also been revised, expanded, and updated. The coverage of feminist topics has been increased to two chapters, adding content on second-wave feminism and contemporary feminist theories. The book is organized around theoretical themes rather than schools, featuring 18 articles written by leading social theorists worldwide. Whether it's the major debates and development trends of contemporary social theory or the various traditions of classic social thought, the book offers profound insights. The extensive bibliography also serves as a guide to current research literature. It is an excellent choice for social theory, spanning from the classical era to the modern period. It allows readers to stay abreast of the latest trends while not abandoning the fundamental issues that connect society, politics, culture, gender, and race. Each author has meticulously provided a very reliable exposition of the topics discussed, along with valuable bibliographic guides. This revised edition of the guide feels more approachable, adhering to a clear theme—Brian Turner commendably refutes the myth of "ornamental theory," which has degenerated into cultural theory that exists for its own sake. He urges us to return to historical and comparative research as reflected in the new chapters on social anthropology and the body.