Sociology - An Introduction

Sociology's goals are ambitious. Their pursuit is exciting. Covering the development of sociology from its origins to the present-day as well as identifying the strengths and limitations of all sociology's main research methods, this book provides a lucid introduction for students who are embarking or considering taking-up sociology. It explains the jargon in all sociology's main theories and methods. Sociology's core subject matter has always been the major transformations as societies have modernised. These transformations include industrialisation, urbanisation and democratisation; the building of social market economies and welfare states after the Second World War; and the ongoing transformation into a post-industrial era. Sociology's parallel core interest is in social divisions, by class, gender and race among others, thereby identifying change-makers and how the effects of transformations have varied by social position. The book introduces sociology's perpetual debates: the senses in which its methods can be scientific; the relationship between theory and research; and the role of sociology in society. It stresses how sociology addresses questions that are simply not posed elsewhere. The answers consistently challenge everyday common sense and the views of the world offered by politicians and the media. Succinct and comprehensive, this book welcomes and challenges sociology students.