Contemporary Sociology

An Introduction to Concepts and Theories

Price: 595.00 

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ISBN:

9780199452781

Publication date:

15/12/2014

Paperback

348 pages

241x185mm

Price: 595.00 

We sell our titles through other companies
Disclaimer :You will be redirected to a third party website.The sole responsibility of supplies, condition of the product, availability of stock, date of delivery, mode of payment will be as promised by the said third party only. Prices and specifications may vary from the OUP India site.

ISBN:

9780199452781

Publication date:

15/12/2014

Paperback

348 pages

Second Edition

M. Francis Abraham

Contemporary Sociology is comprehensive, interdisciplinary, comparative, and current. Using his rich experience as teacher and writer of textbooks, M. Francis Abraham presents a modern text that goes beyond conventional themes and geographic boundaries to include theoretical perspectives and research methods, key concepts and theories in several branches of the discipline, relevant issues in education, economy, population, stratification, minorities, deviance, urbanization, and environment. It also discusses major social institutions and organizations in terms of contemporary theoretical orientations not only in sociology but also in other related social sciences. 

Rights:  World Rights

Second Edition

M. Francis Abraham

Description

This revised and updated edition of the highly successful sociology textbook, Contemporary Sociology, continues to throw light on key issues and concerns of present-day society. M. Francis Abraham’s vast experience and extensive research cuts across conventional themes and geographical boundaries to include: • Theoretical perspectives and research methods • Key concepts and theories • Relevant issues in education, economy, politics, population, stratification, minorities, urbanization, and environment • Social institutions, organizations, and recent trends of change • Examples drawn from numerous cultural contexts   This second edition introduces the following new concepts in a comparative perspective: • Theoretical perspectives in a global age • Crystallization of social interaction • Race, gender, and stratification • New social movements • Gender and deviance • Women’s movements and caste-oriented movements   The crucial topics of modern-day sociology such as gender, race, lifestyle changes, ecological issues, and domestic violence are explained separately, distinguishing the book from general sociology textbooks. 

Second Edition

M. Francis Abraham

Table of contents

List of Tables and Figures
Acknowledgements
Note for Teachers and Students
I THE FIELD OF SOCIOLOGY
1 DEFINING SOCIOLOGY
What is Sociology?
Sociology and Other Social Sciences
The Sociological Perspective
The Founding Fathers of Sociology
Auguste Comte • Karl Marx • Herbert Spencer 
• Émile Durkheim  • Max Weber 
 Contemporary Sociology
2 THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES IN SOCIOLOGY
What is Sociological Theory?
Types of Sociological Theory
Speculative Theories vs. Grounded Theories
• Grand Theories vs. Miniature Theories 
• Macro Theories vs. Micro Theories
Functions of Sociological Theory
Mainline Theories in Sociology
Evolutionary Theory • Structural-functionalism
• Conflict Theory  • The Frankfurt School and Critical Theory
• Symbolic Interactionism• Exchange Theory 
Choosing and Using Sociological Theory
Theoretical Perspectives in a Global Age
3 METHODS OF RESEARCH IN SOCIOLOGY
The Scientific Approach
Basic Principles
Steps in the Research Process
Selection of the Topic • Review of Literature
• Formulation of Hypotheses • Selection of Research Design
• Collection of Data  • Analysis of Data
• Writing the Report and Sharing the Results 
Methods of Research
Surveys• Experiments • Observational Studies: Participant and Non-participant Observation  • Analysis of Secondary Data 
            Quantitative Vs. Qualitative Research
Issues in Sociological Research
II THE FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIETY
4 CULTURE
The Meaning of Culture
Components of Culture
Beliefs  • Values • Language  • Norms 
• Technology 
Cultural Orientation
Cultural Diversity
Cultural Change
Towards a Global Culture?
5 SOCIALIZATION
Heredity and Environment
The Results of Deprived Socialization
Theories of Socialization
Sociological Theories  • Psychological Theories 
Agents of Socialization
The Family  • Peer Groups  • The School 
• Mass Media  • Adult Socialization
Resocialization
Total Institutions 
Socialization by Caste, Religion, and Gender
6 SOCIAL INTERACTION
Verbal and Non-verbal Communication
Crystallization of Social Action
Nature of Social Interaction
Theories of Social Interaction
Dramaturgical Approach • Ethnomethodology 
The Structure of Social Interaction
Status• Role
Forms of Social Interaction
Cooperation • Competition  • Conflict
• Accommodation  • Exchange
Virtual Networking
7 TYPES OF SOCIETIES AND GROUPS
Evolution of Societies
Hunting and Gathering Societies • Horticultural Societies 
• Pastoral Societies  • Agrarian Societies 
• Industrial and Post-industrial Societies 
Three Typologies
Mechanical and Organic Solidarity: Émile Durkheim
• Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft: Ferdinand Tonnies 
• Folk and Urban Societies: Robert Redfield 
Types of Social Groups
Aggregate  • Societal Group  • Social Group
• Associational Group  • Primary and Secondary Groups 
• In-groups and Out-groups • Reference Groups 
• Electronic Communities
Formal Organizations and Bureaucracy
Size and Group Dynamics
Social Organization
8 DEVIANCE AND SOCIAL CONTROL
What is Deviance?
The Normality of Crime: Durkheim
Consequences of Deviance
Theories of Deviant Behaviour
Biological Theories • Psychological Theories 
• Sociological Theories  • Anomie Theory  
• Differential Association Theory  • Labelling Theory
• Conflict Theory 
Gender and Deviance
Crime and Criminals
Social Control
Informal Social Control  • Formal Social Control 
III SOCIAL INEQUALITY
9 SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
Three Systems of Stratification
The Estate System  • The Caste System 
• The Class System 
Race, Gender, and Stratification
Dimensions of Social Stratification
Theories of Stratification
Functional Theory  • Conflict theory 
Global Systems of Stratification
Caste and Class in India
Lifestyles and Life-chances
Social Mobility
10 MINORITIES AND WEAKER SECTIONS
Prejudice and Discrimination
Patterns of Majority-Minority Relations
Minority Responses
Minority Groups in India
Persons with Disabilities  • The Aged 
• Women as a Minority 
• Women in India 
• Dalits and Other Backward Classes (OBCs)  • Tribes in India 
Minority by Sexual Orientation
IV SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
11 THE FAMILY
Types of Families
Marriage Patterns
Functions of the Family
The Future of Marriage and Family
Marriage and Family in India
Global Trends in Marriage and Family
Domestic Violence
12 THE POLITICAL ECONOMY
State and Government
Functions of the State
Social Control  • Defence • Welfare 
Types of States
Autocracy  • Totalitarianism  • Democracy 
Types of Economy
Capitalism  • Socialism  • Mixed Economy 
Democratic Socialism
Power and Authority
Theories of Power in Societies
The Power Elite Model  • The Pluralist Model 
The Indian Political Scene
Globalization and Corporate Capitalism
13 EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
Functions of Education
Socialization  • Cultural Transmission  
• Social Placement  • Innovation 
• Social Integration • Critical Thinking
Inequality in Education
Education and the UN Millennium Development Goals
Education in India
14 RELIGION
Religions among the 'Primitive' People
Elements of Religion
Some Related Concepts
Magic  • Sect  • Cult 
Contemporary Sociological Perspectives on Religion
Key Sociological Theories on Religion
The Functionalist Perspective  • The Conflict Perspective 
Durkheim's Theory of Religion
Recent Trends in Religion
Secularization • Resacralization  • Fundamentalism 
Religion in India
V SOCIAL CHANGE
15 POPULATION AND URBANIZATION
The Basic Concepts
Fertility  • Mortality• Migration 
Theoretical Perspectives
Malthusian Theory of Population 
• Demographic Transition Theory
Population Explosion: Causes and Consequences
A Note on Population in India
Urbanization
Theoretical Perspectives
Georg Simmel: Metropolis and Mental Life 
• Louis Wirth: Urbanism as a Way of Life 
Urbanization in India
16 COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOUR AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
Theories of Collective Behaviour
Contagion Theory • Emergent Norm Theory 
• Convergence Theory • Value-added Theory 
Forms of Collective Behaviour
Crowds 
Dispersed Collective Behaviour
Rumour • Fads and Fashions 
Social Movements
Theories of Social Movements
Relative Deprivation Theory  • Resource Mobilization Theory
• Political Opportunity-Political Process Theory 
New Social Movements
The Life-cycle of Social Movements
Social Movements in India 
Environmental Movements • Women's Movements
• Caste-oriented Movements
17 SOCIAL CHANGE, ENVIRONMENT, AND 
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Theories of Social Change
Evolutionary Theory  • Functional Theory
• Conflict Theory 
Sources of Social Change
Physical Environment  • Technology 
• Cultural Contacts and Diffusion
• Values and Ideology
The Process of Social Change
Social Change in India
Environment
Sustainable Development
Further Readings
Index

About the Author  

Second Edition

M. Francis Abraham

Features

  • This second edition includes revisions with respect to the latest developments in the discipline. An improved version of the immensely popular first edition with additions on issues such as minority by sexual orientation, domestic violence, race, gender and stratification, and social networking.

Second Edition

M. Francis Abraham

Second Edition

M. Francis Abraham

Description

This revised and updated edition of the highly successful sociology textbook, Contemporary Sociology, continues to throw light on key issues and concerns of present-day society. M. Francis Abraham’s vast experience and extensive research cuts across conventional themes and geographical boundaries to include: • Theoretical perspectives and research methods • Key concepts and theories • Relevant issues in education, economy, politics, population, stratification, minorities, urbanization, and environment • Social institutions, organizations, and recent trends of change • Examples drawn from numerous cultural contexts   This second edition introduces the following new concepts in a comparative perspective: • Theoretical perspectives in a global age • Crystallization of social interaction • Race, gender, and stratification • New social movements • Gender and deviance • Women’s movements and caste-oriented movements   The crucial topics of modern-day sociology such as gender, race, lifestyle changes, ecological issues, and domestic violence are explained separately, distinguishing the book from general sociology textbooks. 

Table of contents

List of Tables and Figures
Acknowledgements
Note for Teachers and Students
I THE FIELD OF SOCIOLOGY
1 DEFINING SOCIOLOGY
What is Sociology?
Sociology and Other Social Sciences
The Sociological Perspective
The Founding Fathers of Sociology
Auguste Comte • Karl Marx • Herbert Spencer 
• Émile Durkheim  • Max Weber 
 Contemporary Sociology
2 THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES IN SOCIOLOGY
What is Sociological Theory?
Types of Sociological Theory
Speculative Theories vs. Grounded Theories
• Grand Theories vs. Miniature Theories 
• Macro Theories vs. Micro Theories
Functions of Sociological Theory
Mainline Theories in Sociology
Evolutionary Theory • Structural-functionalism
• Conflict Theory  • The Frankfurt School and Critical Theory
• Symbolic Interactionism• Exchange Theory 
Choosing and Using Sociological Theory
Theoretical Perspectives in a Global Age
3 METHODS OF RESEARCH IN SOCIOLOGY
The Scientific Approach
Basic Principles
Steps in the Research Process
Selection of the Topic • Review of Literature
• Formulation of Hypotheses • Selection of Research Design
• Collection of Data  • Analysis of Data
• Writing the Report and Sharing the Results 
Methods of Research
Surveys• Experiments • Observational Studies: Participant and Non-participant Observation  • Analysis of Secondary Data 
            Quantitative Vs. Qualitative Research
Issues in Sociological Research
II THE FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIETY
4 CULTURE
The Meaning of Culture
Components of Culture
Beliefs  • Values • Language  • Norms 
• Technology 
Cultural Orientation
Cultural Diversity
Cultural Change
Towards a Global Culture?
5 SOCIALIZATION
Heredity and Environment
The Results of Deprived Socialization
Theories of Socialization
Sociological Theories  • Psychological Theories 
Agents of Socialization
The Family  • Peer Groups  • The School 
• Mass Media  • Adult Socialization
Resocialization
Total Institutions 
Socialization by Caste, Religion, and Gender
6 SOCIAL INTERACTION
Verbal and Non-verbal Communication
Crystallization of Social Action
Nature of Social Interaction
Theories of Social Interaction
Dramaturgical Approach • Ethnomethodology 
The Structure of Social Interaction
Status• Role
Forms of Social Interaction
Cooperation • Competition  • Conflict
• Accommodation  • Exchange
Virtual Networking
7 TYPES OF SOCIETIES AND GROUPS
Evolution of Societies
Hunting and Gathering Societies • Horticultural Societies 
• Pastoral Societies  • Agrarian Societies 
• Industrial and Post-industrial Societies 
Three Typologies
Mechanical and Organic Solidarity: Émile Durkheim
• Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft: Ferdinand Tonnies 
• Folk and Urban Societies: Robert Redfield 
Types of Social Groups
Aggregate  • Societal Group  • Social Group
• Associational Group  • Primary and Secondary Groups 
• In-groups and Out-groups • Reference Groups 
• Electronic Communities
Formal Organizations and Bureaucracy
Size and Group Dynamics
Social Organization
8 DEVIANCE AND SOCIAL CONTROL
What is Deviance?
The Normality of Crime: Durkheim
Consequences of Deviance
Theories of Deviant Behaviour
Biological Theories • Psychological Theories 
• Sociological Theories  • Anomie Theory  
• Differential Association Theory  • Labelling Theory
• Conflict Theory 
Gender and Deviance
Crime and Criminals
Social Control
Informal Social Control  • Formal Social Control 
III SOCIAL INEQUALITY
9 SOCIAL STRATIFICATION
Three Systems of Stratification
The Estate System  • The Caste System 
• The Class System 
Race, Gender, and Stratification
Dimensions of Social Stratification
Theories of Stratification
Functional Theory  • Conflict theory 
Global Systems of Stratification
Caste and Class in India
Lifestyles and Life-chances
Social Mobility
10 MINORITIES AND WEAKER SECTIONS
Prejudice and Discrimination
Patterns of Majority-Minority Relations
Minority Responses
Minority Groups in India
Persons with Disabilities  • The Aged 
• Women as a Minority 
• Women in India 
• Dalits and Other Backward Classes (OBCs)  • Tribes in India 
Minority by Sexual Orientation
IV SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
11 THE FAMILY
Types of Families
Marriage Patterns
Functions of the Family
The Future of Marriage and Family
Marriage and Family in India
Global Trends in Marriage and Family
Domestic Violence
12 THE POLITICAL ECONOMY
State and Government
Functions of the State
Social Control  • Defence • Welfare 
Types of States
Autocracy  • Totalitarianism  • Democracy 
Types of Economy
Capitalism  • Socialism  • Mixed Economy 
Democratic Socialism
Power and Authority
Theories of Power in Societies
The Power Elite Model  • The Pluralist Model 
The Indian Political Scene
Globalization and Corporate Capitalism
13 EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
Functions of Education
Socialization  • Cultural Transmission  
• Social Placement  • Innovation 
• Social Integration • Critical Thinking
Inequality in Education
Education and the UN Millennium Development Goals
Education in India
14 RELIGION
Religions among the 'Primitive' People
Elements of Religion
Some Related Concepts
Magic  • Sect  • Cult 
Contemporary Sociological Perspectives on Religion
Key Sociological Theories on Religion
The Functionalist Perspective  • The Conflict Perspective 
Durkheim's Theory of Religion
Recent Trends in Religion
Secularization • Resacralization  • Fundamentalism 
Religion in India
V SOCIAL CHANGE
15 POPULATION AND URBANIZATION
The Basic Concepts
Fertility  • Mortality• Migration 
Theoretical Perspectives
Malthusian Theory of Population 
• Demographic Transition Theory
Population Explosion: Causes and Consequences
A Note on Population in India
Urbanization
Theoretical Perspectives
Georg Simmel: Metropolis and Mental Life 
• Louis Wirth: Urbanism as a Way of Life 
Urbanization in India
16 COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOUR AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
Theories of Collective Behaviour
Contagion Theory • Emergent Norm Theory 
• Convergence Theory • Value-added Theory 
Forms of Collective Behaviour
Crowds 
Dispersed Collective Behaviour
Rumour • Fads and Fashions 
Social Movements
Theories of Social Movements
Relative Deprivation Theory  • Resource Mobilization Theory
• Political Opportunity-Political Process Theory 
New Social Movements
The Life-cycle of Social Movements
Social Movements in India 
Environmental Movements • Women's Movements
• Caste-oriented Movements
17 SOCIAL CHANGE, ENVIRONMENT, AND 
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Theories of Social Change
Evolutionary Theory  • Functional Theory
• Conflict Theory 
Sources of Social Change
Physical Environment  • Technology 
• Cultural Contacts and Diffusion
• Values and Ideology
The Process of Social Change
Social Change in India
Environment
Sustainable Development
Further Readings
Index

About the Author