Approaches to Sociology (RLE Social Theory)

These essays, commissioned by John Rex, reflect the state of sociology in Britain today. Leading representatives of the diverse 'schools' provide lucid accounts of their own particular approaches to this complex discipline and in doing so demonstrate the techniques described. Topics covered include the empirical study of stratification, social evolution, survey techniques, mathematical sociology, systems theory, phenomenological approaches, Weberian sociology, structuralism, contemporary Marxism, and the development of theory after Talcott Parsons.

Introduction John Rex. 1. Some Aspects of the Study of Modern British Society John Westergaard 2. Evolutionary and Developmental Sociology Ronald Fletcher 3. Current Approaches to Empirical Research: Some Central ideas Frank Bechhofer 4. Mathematical Sociology and Sociological Theory Peter Abell 5. Towards the Identification of the Major Axes of Sociological Analysis Roland Robertson 6. Phenomenological Perspectives in Sociology Peter Lassman 7. Sociology and the Sociology of Education: A Brief Account Basil Bernstein 8. New Directions in Sub-Cultural Theory Jack Young 9. Social Structure and Humanistic Sociology: The Legacy of the Classical European Tradition John Rex 10. The Frankfurt School: Critical Theory and Positivism David Frisby 11. The Structuralism of Levi-Strauss and Althusser Miriam Glucksmann 12. Time and Theory in Sociology Herminio Martins