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Social Science General

Understanding Society

A Survey of Modern Social Theory

by (author) Douglas Mann

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Initial publish date
Sep 2010
Category
General
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780195432503
    Publish Date
    Sep 2010
    List Price
    $189.99
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780195421842
    Publish Date
    Jul 2007
    List Price
    $98.95

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

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.

About the author

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.

Douglas Mann's profile page

Editorial Reviews

"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