Author Description

Introductory Sociology is one of the most ambitious, scholarly and popular textbooks in its field. This welcome new edition builds on the strengths of its predecessor in its thematic coherence, clarity of exposition and analytical depth. It is carefully structured to cover all the main substantive topics studied at an introductory level within a framework that engages with exciting contemporary debates about modernity, globalisation and social identity. Key features of the new edition include: - a completely new chapter on the media - extended coverage of social divisions to include disability, youth and old age as well as class, gender and race - clearer and more compact treatment of social theory, incorporating discussion of work by such contemporary theorists as Habermas, Giddens and Beck - an even stronger blend of theoretical, empirical and illustrative material, consolidating the critical and applied approach that is one of the text's most well-liked defining features With outstanding presentation and pedagogical support for the student and hard-pressed lecturer alike, the text includes: - an Instructor's Resource Pack, complete with powerpoint slides, available on the Palgrave website (or in hardcopy for adopters of the textbook, by written request) - a detailed and extensive glossary - practically a 'mini dictionary' of sociology in its own right and an ideal reference tool - chapter-specific further reading lists, annotated for further guidance and support - questions to think about, which can be used as the basis for essays, class discussion and further study - pictures, figures, graphs and tables.