{"product_id":"essential-concepts-in-sociology-paperback-softback-9781509574179","title":"Essential Concepts in Sociology (Paperback \/ softback) 9781509574179","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eEssential Concepts in Sociology\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eAnthony Giddens (Author), Philip W. Sutton (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9781509574179, Polity Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback \/ softback, published 27 March 2026\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e264 pages\u003cbr\u003e22.6 x 15.2 x 2 cm, 0.386 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSocial life is in a constant process of change, and sociology can never stand still. As a result, contemporary sociology is a theoretically diverse enterprise, covering a huge range of subjects and drawing on a broad array of research methods. Central to this endeavour is the use of core concepts and ideas which allow sociologists to make sense of societies, though our understanding of these concepts necessarily evolves and changes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis clear and jargon-free book introduces a careful selection of essential concepts that have helped to shape sociology and continue to do so. Going beyond brief, dictionary-style definitions, Anthony Giddens and Philip W. Sutton provide an extended discussion of each concept which sets it in historical and theoretical context, explores its main meanings in use, introduces relevant criticisms, and points readers to its ongoing development in contemporary research and theorizing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOrganized in ten thematic sections, the book offers a portrait of sociology through its essential concepts, ranging from capitalism, identity and deviance to the digital revolution, environment, postcolonialism and intersectionality. Revised and updated for this new Fourth Edition, this book will be essential reading for those approaching sociology for the first time as well as anyone seeking a reliable guide for understanding a rapidly changing world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eIntroduction\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTheme 1 Thinking Sociologically\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDigital Revolution\u003cbr\u003eGlobalization\u003cbr\u003eModernity\u003cbr\u003ePostcolonialism\u003cbr\u003ePostmodernity\u003cbr\u003eRationalization\u003cbr\u003eSociety\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTheme 2 Doing Sociology\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIdeal Type\u003cbr\u003eQualitative\/Quantitative Methods\u003cbr\u003eRealism\u003cbr\u003eReflexivity\u003cbr\u003eScience\u003cbr\u003eSocial Constructionism\u003cbr\u003eStructure\/Agency\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTheme 3 Environment and Urbanism\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlienation\u003cbr\u003eEnvironment\u003cbr\u003eIndustrialization\u003cbr\u003eMigration\u003cbr\u003eRisk\u003cbr\u003eSustainable Development\u003cbr\u003eUrbanism\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTheme 4 Structure of Society\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBureaucracy\u003cbr\u003eCapitalism\u003cbr\u003eConsumerism\u003cbr\u003eDivision of Labor\u003cbr\u003eEducation\u003cbr\u003eOrganization\u003cbr\u003eReligion\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTheme 5 Unequal Life Chances\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClass\u003cbr\u003eGender\u003cbr\u003eIntersectionality\u003cbr\u003ePatriarchy\u003cbr\u003ePoverty\u003cbr\u003eRace and Ethnicity\u003cbr\u003eSocial Mobility\u003cbr\u003eStatus\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTheme 6 Relationships and the Life Course\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCommunity\u003cbr\u003eFamily\u003cbr\u003eLife Course\u003cbr\u003eNetwork\u003cbr\u003eSexuality\u003cbr\u003eSocialization\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTheme 7 Interaction and Communication\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCulture\u003cbr\u003eDiscourse\u003cbr\u003eIdentity\u003cbr\u003eIdeology\u003cbr\u003eInteraction\u003cbr\u003eMedia\u003cbr\u003ePublic Sphere\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTheme 8 Health, Illness and the Body\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBiomedicine\u003cbr\u003eMedicalization\u003cbr\u003eSick Role\u003cbr\u003eSocial Model of Disability\u003cbr\u003eSocial Self\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTheme 9 Crime and Social Control\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnomie\u003cbr\u003eDeviance\u003cbr\u003eLabelling\u003cbr\u003eMoral Panic\u003cbr\u003eSocial Control\u003cbr\u003eStigma\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTheme 10 Political Sociology\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAuthority\u003cbr\u003eCitizenship\u003cbr\u003eConflict\u003cbr\u003eDemocracy\u003cbr\u003eNation State\u003cbr\u003ePower\u003cbr\u003eSocial Movement\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Sociology \u0026amp; anthropology [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Sociology \u0026amp; anthropology\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Sociology%20\u0026amp;%20anthropology%20%5BJH%5D%22\"\u003eJH\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Polity","offers":[{"title":"Brand New","offer_id":52453367873816,"sku":"9781509574179","price":14.28,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/files\/9781509574179.jpg?v=1785283367","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/essential-concepts-in-sociology-paperback-softback-9781509574179","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}