Abstract
In this chapter, our first main aim is build on accounts of classic theories given at various points earlier in the text and consolidate students’ understanding of the key features of modernity. The second key aim is to provide a broad understanding of changing accounts of social structure.
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Further Reading
George Ritzer offers very comprehensive and stimulating coverage of old and new theories in his Sociological Theory (McGraw-Hill, 1996, New York) and in Modern Sociological Theory (McGraw-Hill, 1996, New York). Ritzer’s summaries are clear and have a critical edge behind them — he has written on such themes as The McDonaldisation of Society.
Charles Lemert has edited a collection of readings with a range and scope that challenges sociology’s previous neglect of issues of gender, ethnicity and multiculturalism whilst also including the key classic sources. Social Theory: the Classic and Multicultural Readings (Westfield, 1993, Oxford) is a good source of materials to stimulate debate as well as for developing comprehension.
Ian Craib Modern Social Theory (Wheatsheaf, 1984, London) still gets a good response from students, with its light touch on a wide range of theories.
The fatherly trio of Marx, Durkheim and Weber still get books devoted to them alone. Recent examples offering clarity are Ken Morrison Formations of Modern Social Thought (Sage, 1995, London)
John A. Hughes, Peter J. Martin and W. W. Sharrock Understanding Classical Sociology (Sage, 1995, London).
Perhaps the most stimulating single source on postmodernity is still David Harvey The Condition of Postmodernity (Blackwell, 1989, Oxford). Showing Bladerunner and using his chapter on films always seems to produce useful debate on postmodern culture and politics.
Anthony Giddens’ Consequences of Modernity (Polity Press, 1990, Cambridge) is brief and clear enough to engage and enthuse students, suggesting ways for engaging social theory with the contemporary world.
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© 1998 Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth and Andrew Webster
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Bilton, T., Bonnett, K., Jones, P., Skinner, D., Stanworth, M., Webster, A. (1998). Sociologists, Modernity and Progress. In: Introductory Sociology. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-14741-0_17
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-14741-0_17
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