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  • Textbook
  • © 1996

Introductory Sociology

  • Completely revised, updated edition of very highlyregarded text (rewritten throughout)
    Very accessible draws on examples students will recognise, and engage with; real, studentoriented material
    Contemporary in feel contains references to debates at forefront of social theory (modernity, globalisation)
    Redesigned text to a larger format with charts, boxed examples, illustrations (cartoons and photos) and a new layout, to make this edition more readable and approachable

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Table of contents (19 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xviii
  2. Introduction: Studying Modern Society

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Introduction

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 3-24
    3. Living in Modernity

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 25-51
    4. Globalisation and Modernity

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 52-77
    5. Varieties of Social Theories: A Brief Introduction

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 78-98
    6. Principles of Sociological Research

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 99-133
  3. Social Division and Power

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 135-135
    2. Understanding Social Stratification: Social Class

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 137-168
    3. The New Dynamics of Class

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 169-197
    4. Gender Relations

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 198-233
    5. Race and Ethnicity: Inequalities and Identities

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 234-270
    6. Power, Politics and the State

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 271-326
  4. Dimensions of Contemporary Social Life

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 327-327
    2. Education

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 329-373
    3. Work and Non-Work

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 374-408
    4. Health, Illness and Medicine

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 409-446
    5. Understanding Crime

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 447-478
    6. Theorising Modern Family Life

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 479-526
    7. Knowledge, Belief and Religion

      • Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster
      Pages 527-574

About this book

Introductory Sociology has established itself as one of the most popular textbooks in its field. The third edition is completely revised, updated and redesigned, to include additional diagrams, charts, information boxes and illustrations, and will be a blend of innovation and continuity - both in terms of form and content.

In connection with broad changes in the discipline, there are three issues which provide the new focus of the book; these are debates about the status of modernity, globalisation and a stronger concern with the construction of identity. The result is a lively, up-to-date and accessible text that encourages the reader to think more deeply about wider sociological themes while developing a sound substantive knowledge base in all key areas.

Free to all adopters of the textbook is a resource pack specially designed to meet the needs of the busy lecturer. It offers a clear and easy-to-follow overview of the textbook, including the aims of, and key concepts introduced in, each chapter, as well as innumerable ideas for seminar discussions, essay questions and further reading. In addition, the pack includes a wide selection of material, drawn both from the textbook itself and from other sources, that lends itself to use in the classroom or lecture hall and is supplied in the form of overhead transparency masters.

Adopters can register to gain free access to the Resource Pack online at: www.macmillan-press.co.uk/sociology

Authors and Affiliations

  • Anglia Polytechnic University, Cambridge, UK

    Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster

About the authors

TONY BILTON is a Principle Lecturer in Sociology, Anglia Polytechnic University, Cambridge.

KEVIN BONNETT is Director of Studies, Humanities and Arts, Anglia Polytechnic University, Cambridge.

PIP JONES is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Anglia Polytechnic University, Cambridge.

DAVID SKINNER is a Lecturer in Sociology, Anglia Polytechnic University, Cambridge.

MICHELLE STANWORTH is Professor of Sociology and Women's Studies, Anglia Polytechnic University, Cambridge.

ANDREW WEBSTER is a Reader in Sociology, Anglia Polytechnic University, Cambridge.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Introductory Sociology

  • Authors: Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-24712-7

  • Publisher: Red Globe Press London

  • eBook Packages: Palgrave History Collection, History (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones, David Skinner, Michelle Stanworth, Andrew Webster 1996

  • Edition Number: 3

  • Number of Pages: XVIII, 683

  • Additional Information: Previously published under the imprint Palgrave

  • Topics: Sociology, general, Nursing