Classical Sociological Theory

A world-class introduction to the historical and continuing impact of classical theoryáon sociological debateá

The latest edition ofáClassical Sociological Theoryáoffersástudents a definitive guide to theátheoreticaláfoundationsáof sociology and the continuing impact ofáthe ideas explored byáearlyátheorists, includingáMarx, Durkheim, Weber, Mead, Simmel, Freud, Du Bois, Adorno, Marcuse, Parsons, and Merton.áThe prestigious editorsáhave integrated several readingsáonáthe most influential theoriesáarising out of the Enlightenment era and the work of de Tocqueville.á

Readers are introduced to seminal works in classical sociological theoryáby way of editorial introductions that lend historical and intellectual perspectiveáto the included readings.áThe readings themselvesáhave been selected based on their combinations of theoretical sophistication andáaccessibility.áFrom analyses ofáself and society to examinations of critical theory and structural-functional analysis,áClassical Sociological Theoryáremainsáthe gold standard ináclassical theoryáreaders.á

The Fourth Edition of thisáwidely taughtábook includes:á

• Selections that trace the history of classical sociological theory, from its undisciplined roots to its modern influence on contemporary sociological debateá
• Readings describing the “pre-history” of sociology, including ideas from the Enlightenment and de Tocquevilleá
• Editorial introductions that place selected works firmly in their intellectual, philosophical, and historical contexts for the benefit ofáthe studentá
• A distinguished and scholarly team of editorsáwith a wideáand deepárange ofáexpertiseá

Perfect for undergraduate and graduate studentsáof socialáand sociologicalátheory,áClassicaláSociological Theoryáis also a thought-provokingáresource ideal foráuse in courses taught in human geography, anthropology, criminology, and urban studies programs.á