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Palgrave Macmillan

Social Theory

A New Introduction

  • Textbook
  • © 2021

Overview

Authors:
  1. Mark Murphy

    1. University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

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  • Covers both classic and contemporary theory

  • Thematic in structure, which helps readers grasp the significance of the issues theorists address and how they reflect current social challenges

  • Pedagogically-rich: features are distributed throughout to help readers navigate their way through the range of issues and ideas being discussed

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Table of contents (13 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiv
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  2. Introduction

    • Mark Murphy
    Pages 1-5

  3. Understanding the State

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 7-7
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    2. The State

      • Mark Murphy
      Pages 9-31

    3. Governance

      • Mark Murphy
      Pages 33-55

    4. The Economy

      • Mark Murphy
      Pages 57-80

    5. Civil Society

      • Mark Murphy
      Pages 81-101

  4. Understanding the Social

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 103-103
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    2. Culture

      • Mark Murphy
      Pages 105-130

    3. Language

      • Mark Murphy
      Pages 131-153

    4. Knowledge

      • Mark Murphy
      Pages 155-180

  5. Understanding the Self and Selfhood

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 181-181
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    2. The Self

      • Mark Murphy
      Pages 183-204

    3. Emotions

      • Mark Murphy
      Pages 205-227

    4. The Body

      • Mark Murphy
      Pages 229-251

    5. Social Justice

      • Mark Murphy
      Pages 253-273

    6. Conclusion

      • Mark Murphy
      Pages 275-282

  6. Back Matter

    Pages 283-314
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Keywords

About this book

This textbook delivers a new thematic introduction to social theory that explores theoretical issues in their contemporary social contexts. Each chapter is devoted to a specific thematic area, including the state, governance, the economy, civil society, culture, language, knowledge, the self, emotions, the body, and social justice. Each chapter details the key issues for debate and the relevant theories while linking those debates and theories to everyday life. Distributed throughout the chapters are focused sections on key concepts and their research applications, alongside helpful additional detail including a glossary, further suggested readings, chapter summaries, and questions for discussion. The book also provides useful information on key theoretical movements such as feminism, Marxism, and post-structuralism, as well as biographies of key theorists. As such, it reflects the breadth of social theory and its interdisciplinary nature by drawing on thinkers not just from sociology, but also from philosophy, history, literature, geography, cultural and gender studies.



The book’s logical structure and clear pedagogical features make it an appealing and accessible introductory text for students new to social theory. The chapters demonstrate the relevance of social theory to everyday life, such that readers can understand and actively engage with key concepts.

Authors and Affiliations

  • University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

    Mark Murphy

About the author

Mark Murphy is Reader in Education & Public Policy at the School of Education, University of Glasgow, UK. His published work includes two books on social theory and education.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Social Theory

  • Book Subtitle: A New Introduction

  • Authors: Mark Murphy

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78324-2

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham

  • eBook Packages: Social Sciences, Social Sciences (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-78323-5Published: 23 August 2021

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-78324-2Published: 22 August 2021

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XIV, 314

  • Topics: Social Theory, Sociological Theory, Social Philosophy

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