Description
Kivisto (sociology, Augustana College, Illinois) intends this revised text as a complement to standard sociology theory texts in undergraduate courses. In the first section, contributors connect selected social issues to classical sociological theories, explaining how Marx's theories are expressed in current economies, and how Weber's theory of the rationalization of modern life speaks to the fast-food phenomenon, among other topics. The remaining chapters apply contemporary theory to topics including the criminalization of transgressing youth, socially constructed body ideals, globalization, and the spectacle of Mardi Gras. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Illuminating Social Life has enjoyed increasing popularity with each edition. Editor Peter Kivisto attempts to bridge the gap between social theory and the substantive courses contained in the sociology curriculum. It is the only book designed for undergraduate teaching that shows today's students how classical and contemporary social theories can be used to shed new light on such topics as the internet, the world of work, fast food restaurants, shopping malls, alcohol use, body building, sales and service, and new religious movements. This Fourth Edition is updated and revised to help students appreciate the relevance and the significance of social theory—and in the process reduces the anxiety many feel about required theory courses.
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