John Hughes & Alan Pratt 
Understanding Modern Sociology 

From the team that brought you the bestselling
Understanding Classical Sociology (SAGE Publications, 1995), we now have a companion volume dealing with the modern period of social theory. An introductory chapter situates the reader in the main changes in society and sociology following the classic period. This is then followed by separate chapters giving a detailed account of four perspectives that are regarded to be of seminal importance – Functionalism, Critical Theory, Structuralism and Symbolic Interactionism. All of the popular features of
Understanding Classical Sociology are reproduced in this book:

· Clarity of exposition and criticism

· A passion for the importance and relevance of sociological reasoning and explanation

· A commitment to treat social theory as a living tradition of thought

In addition, the volume comes with a variety of pedagogic aids including summary points and key definitions to facilitate learning and study.

This is a book that enhances the sociological imagination. It draws on the authors deep understanding and experience of teaching the subject over many decades. It will be welcomed by lecturers as a vital new teaching and research aid, and students will be stimulated and enriched by the unfussy and reliable advice on doing sociology that it imparts.

Table of Content

The Background to Modern Sociology

Functionalism

The Frankfurt School and Critical Theory

Structuralism

Interactionism

Concluding Remarks

About the author

Wes Sharrock has spent his entire career since 1965 in sociology until his retirement in 2017 at the University of Manchester. His main interests have been in the philosophy of social science and in ethnomethodology, and he has published widely on issues of sociological principle and empirical research in these areas.Wes has explored two central themes—the relevance of fieldwork and an understanding of ordinary language for an understanding of social practice and the respecification of social theory—pursuing them across a huge variety of settings, from ordinary scenes of everyday social life through to complex domains of practical action and reasoning in various academic and industrial work situations. An ethnomethodologist of international reputation, alongside his other contributions, Wes coedited with Mike Lynch the four-volume 2003 Sage collection Harold Garfinkel.