Social Theory and Sociology: The Classics and Beyond

This Timely volume represents an attempt by leading practitioners in the field to think reflexively about the present state of social theory and its historical analogues, and to consider new directions opposed to the classical social theorists, as well as new uses of the classics. Social Theory and Sociology begins to address a problem that is salient for students as well as academics, namely, why and how does the legacy of social theory matter? What is the value of what we are learning? No attempt is made to dodge these tough questions and some very different answers are provided. Ranging from classic figures such ad Marx top the new theoritical approaches deriving from science and tehnology studies, this book represernts a multivoiced, radically diverse consideration of what theroy is all about now, at the end of the century. Social Theory and Socioloogy will be esentail reading for advanced undergraduates and above of social theory–primarily those studying sociology and cultural studies–thouhjh it is also relevant for those in other humanities and social science departments.