Discovering Sociology, 1st ed. 2018

This major new textbook uses lively prose and a series of carefully-crafted pedagogical features to both introduce Sociology as a discipline and to help students realize how deeply sociological issues impact on their own lives. Over the book?s ten chapters, students discover what Sociology is, alongside its historical development and emergent new concerns. They will be led through the theories that underpin the discipline and familiarized with what it takes to undertake good sociological research. Ultimately students will be led and inspired to develop their own sociological imagination ? learning to question their own assumptions about the society, the culture and the world around them today.

Historically, the majority of introductory Sociology textbooks have run to many hundreds of pages, discouraging students from further reading. By contrast, Discovering Sociology has been carefully designed and developed as a true introduction, covering the key ideas and topics that first year undergraduate students need to engage with without sacrificing intellectual rigour.

1. What is Sociology?.- 2. A Brief History of Sociology.- 3. Sociological Theory.- 4. The Method of Sociology.- 5. Ethical Sociology.- 6. Structures and Institutions.- 7. Social Divisions.- 8. Personal Life.- 9. Social Transformations.- 10. Sociology Discovered.

Mark McCormack, Professor of Sociology, University of Roehampton, UK

Eric Anderson, Professor of Sport, Masculinities and Sexualities, University of Winchester, UK

Kimberly Jamie, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Durham University, UK

Matthew David, Associate Professor of Sociology, Durham University, UK

• 'Provocations', using controversial or counter-intuitive arguments to spark debate and make students question their own assumptions
  
• ‘Good Sociology/Bad Sociology’ highlights approaches for the budding sociologist to adopt – or avoid
  
• ‘Vox pops’ interviews provide real life insight and opinion to give readers a practical handle on the sociological issues they’ve studied in theory 
  
• Tables, figures and evocative images add to a lively eye-catching design.
  
• Up-to-the-moment real-world examples ensure that learners quickly make the vital connection between sociological issues and their own lives
  
• An accompanying website hosts author video debates; lecturer guides; a ‘Discovering Sociology Across the Globe’ feature covering local issues worldwide; an interactive glossary; and more