Introduction to sociological theory : theorists, concepts, and their applicability to the twenty-first century / Michele Dillon.

Includes index.

Introduction - sociological theory: a vibrant, living tradition -- Karl Marx (1818-1883) -- Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) -- Max Weber (1864-1920) -- American classics: the Chicago school, Talcott Parsons, and Robert Merton -- Critical theory: technology, culture, and politics -- Conflict, power, and dependency in macro-societal processes -- Exchange, exchange network, rational choice theories -- Symbolic interaction -- Phenomenology and ethnomethodology -- Feminist theories -- Sex, bodies, truth, power: Michael Foucault, Steven Seidman, and queer theory -- Postcolonial theories and race -- Pierre Bourdieu: class, culture, and social reproduction of inequality -- Economic and political globalization: Wallerstein, Sklair, Giddens, Sassen, Bauman, Castells -- Modernities, risk, cosmopolitanism, and posthumanism.

"Since its first edition in 2011, Introduction to Sociological Theory established itself on the market as one of the leading textbooks for undergraduate courses in contemporary and classical sociological theory in both the US and the UK. Providing a comprehensive and empirically engaging introduction to sociological theory, this student-oriented book entangles theory concepts to everyday examples in order to show the enduring relevance of classical and contemporary analytical constructs to the dynamism of our society. The thoroughly revised fourth edition aims to guide students in understanding how sociological theory helps to interpret current issues such as Brexit, the impact of Covid pandemic, Donald's Trump presidency, the increasing global awareness of economic and racial inequalities, and China's intensified dominance. In particular, greater emphasis will be placed on theorising relevant to climate change and ecological degradation, and the expansion of artificial intelligence in daily life. To accommodate hybrid teaching methods, the structure of the text will keep the previous edition total of 15 chapters (to mirror the typical 15-week semester), while the Introduction is going to be renumbered as Chapter 1 to facilitate correspondence between textbook chapters and online module numbering (especially for online courses using Canvas-type platforms). Developed with instructors and students in mind, this new edition of Introduction to Sociological Theory promises to be a valuable and timely resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses across social sciences"-- Provided by publisher.