Understanding Society: A Survey of Modern Social Theory, second edition, introduces the major streams of contemporary social theory and traces their evolution to the present day. Among the many new features of this edition is an entirely new chapter on three recent schools of thought centering on the somatic (bodily) aspects of personal identity - race, gender, and queer theory. In addition, a series of fictional vignettes and 'flashbacks' throughout illuminate the topics in each chapter and help students make connections between social theory and real-world issues. With a contemporary and accessible writing style that will engage readers, this uniquely Canadian text features current debates on such topics as communication, popular culture, the global village, corporatism, and globalization.

Douglas Mann is a social and political theorist also interested in the philosophy of history, cultural studies, and contemporary Continental philosophy. He currently teaches in the Department of Sociology, the Department of English and the Media, Information and Technoculture Programme at the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario.

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"The author takes seriously the need to engage students and make theory meaningful in the context of their everyday lives. . . Written in a language that is very accessible, demonstrating that theory need not be dry and humourless." --Susan Robertson, University of Saskatchewan

"[Understanding Society] addresses a vast range of thought without simplifying. The author's active engagement with the various thinkers, traditions, and historical shifts is evident on every page. . . an outstanding resource and, as far as I am aware, by far the best book of its kind available." --Kimberly Mair, University of Lethbridge