Full Description
Written by eminent sociologists, this book introduces and assesses some of the most influential, recent sociological theories. Each chapter explains the theory and describes a related program of empirical research. Chapters are authored by the actual founders (and/or leading exponents) of these theoretical programs; many chapters contain a description of the inception, growth, and present status of the theoretical program. The book covers a broad range of sociological concerns, from the investigation of power and status processes, to social movements and revolutions, to organizational and institutional structures, to world system analysis. Accessibly written for a wide sociological audience, this book is an invaluable introduction for undergraduates and graduates to sociology's most important theoretical advances.
Contents
Part 1 Part I. Introduction Chapter 2 Theory Programs, Teaching Theory, and Contemporary Theories Part 3 Part II. Affect and Status Chapter 4 Understanding Social Interaction with Affect Control Theory Chapter 5 Expectation States Theory: An Evolving Research Program Part 6 Part III. Norms, Exchange, and Networks Chapter 7 From the Emergence of Norms to Aids Prevention and the Analysis of Social Structure Chapter 8 Network Exchange Theory, by David Willer, Henry Walker, Barry Markovsky, Robb Willer, Michael Lovaglia, Shane Thye, and Brent Simpson Part 9 Part IV. Social Movements and Revolutions Chapter 10 The Resource Mobilization Research Program: Progress, Challenge, and Transformation Chapter 11 Recent Developments in Critical Mass Theory Chapter 12 Theory Development in the Study of Revolutions Part 13 Part V. Institutional Structures Chapter 14 The Development and Application of Sociological Neo-Institutionalism Chapter 15 The Selectorate Model: A Theory of Political Institutions Part 16 Part VI. Theory Construction and Theory Integration Chapter 17 Theoretical Integration and Generative Structuralism Chapter 18 Seven Secrets for Doing Theory Part 19 Part VII. Reflections on Careers in Theory Chapter 20 Reflections on a Career as a Theorist Chapter 21 The Itinerary of World-Systems Analysis, or How to Resist Becoming a Theory
