New Directions in Contemporary Sociological Theory

by Joseph Berger (Editor), Morris Zelditch Jr. (Editor), Peter M. Blau (Contribution by), Thomas J. Fararo (Contribution by), Jack A. Goldstone author of Why Europe? The (Contribution by)

Overview

Written by eminent sociologists, this book introduces and assesses some of the most influential, recent sociological theories. Each chapter explains the theory and describes a related program of empirical research. Chapters are authored by the actual founders (and/or leading exponents) of these theoretical programs; many chapters contain a description of the inception, growth, and present status of the theoretical program. The book covers a broad range of sociological concerns, from the investigation of power and status processes, to social movements and revolutions, to organizational and institutional structures, to world system analysis. Accessibly written for a wide sociological audience, this book is an invaluable introduction for undergraduates and graduates to sociology's most important theoretical advances.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781461714736
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	07/31/2002
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	400
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Joseph Berger and Morris Zelditch are professors of sociology at Stanford University.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Part I. Introduction
Chapter 2 Theory Programs, Teaching Theory, and Contemporary Theories
Part 3 Part II. Affect and Status
Chapter 4 Understanding Social Interaction with Affect Control Theory
Chapter 5 Expectation States Theory: An Evolving Research Program
Part 6 Part III. Norms, Exchange, and Networks
Chapter 7 From the Emergence of Norms to Aids Prevention and the Analysis of Social Structure
Chapter 8 Network Exchange Theory, by
David Willer, Henry Walker, Barry Markovsky, Robb Willer, Michael Lovaglia, Shane Thye, and Brent Simpson
Part 9 Part IV. Social Movements and Revolutions
Chapter 10 The Resource Mobilization Research Program: Progress, Challenge, and Transformation
Chapter 11 Recent Developments in Critical Mass Theory
Chapter 12 Theory Development in the Study of Revolutions
Part 13 Part V. Institutional Structures
Chapter 14 The Development and Application of Sociological Neo-Institutionalism
Chapter 15 The Selectorate Model: A Theory of Political Institutions
Part 16 Part VI. Theory Construction and Theory Integration
Chapter 17 Theoretical Integration and Generative Structuralism
Chapter 18 Seven Secrets for Doing Theory
Part 19 Part VII. Reflections on Careers in Theory
Chapter 20 Reflections on a Career as a Theorist
Chapter 21 The Itinerary of World-Systems Analysis, or How to Resist Becoming a Theory

Editorial Reviews

Berger and Zelditch (both sociology, Stanford U.) introduce undergraduate and graduate students to the diversity of some of the most significant theories in contemporary sociology. Most of the 13 chapters were originally papers commissioned for a conference on sociological theory sponsored by the Theory Section of the American Sociological Association in 2000. Each of the chapters analyzes the growth of a particular program of theoretical research over time, and was written by either the creator(s) of the program's original theoretical formulation or a leading theorist working in the program. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

This new collection from the eminent sociologists introduced some of the most influential sociological theories. Written for the wide sociological audience, this book is an invaluable introduction for undergraduates and graduates to sociology's most important theoretical advances.

Educational Book Review

This is a very worthwhile book that will appeal to those already conversant with theoretical research programs and who are looking for recent applications of work conducted under this rubric. It will also interest and challenge those who work within different theoretical traditions or who define and see theory in different ways.

Contemporary Sociology