An Introduction to Sociology

The third edition of An Introduction to Sociology, with major revisions to the text.

J. E. Goldthorpe (Author)

9780521287791, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 21 February 1985

244 pages
21.6 x 13.8 x 1.9 cm, 0.35 kg

' … the sociological perspective takes on new gravity when familiar concepts like law, custom, legitimacy and authority are viewed in regard to the management of historically continuing social conflict. The African setting, in fact, gives the author's presentation of sociological variables the seriousness that one finds in such great thinkers as Plato, Hobbes, Marx and Weber - but not often in introductory text.' American Sociological Review

This has proved to be an excellent introduction to what sociology is and what kinds of information and useful knowledge the practice of this discipline provides. In discussing family structure, the relation between the economy and society, social class, social control, and religion, the author uses appropriate examples of African experience. For this third edition, Dr Goldthorpe has thoroughly revised the text to take account of the changes affecting men and women in contemporary societies. Major revisions have been made to the chapter on the family, in the light of recent research on child care. The chapter on social class has been extensively revised to incorporate new material (including work by the author's namesake J. H. Goldthorpe) on social mobility and inequality in contemporary societies, and the debate on socialism has been updated. Changes have been made too in the passages on hunting and food-gathering societies, and on peasants, while there has been a general up dating of statistics, references, and suggestions for further reading throughout.

Foreword Audrey I. Richards
Author's preface to the third edition
Part I. Sociology: 1. What is sociology?
2. Sociology and social anthropology
3. What sociologists do
Part II. Social Institutions: 4. Kinship, marriage and the family
5. Technology, economy and society
6. Social class
7. Aggression, conflict and social control
8. Magic, religion and society
Notes
Index.

Subject Areas: Sociology & anthropology [JH]