This volume is an introduction to the increasingly complex and dense subject of sociological theory. By presenting the ideas of major original and representative thinkers in the field, it elucidates the key characteristics of each theoretical approach. In addition to the core arguments made by classical sociologists, the book describes the further evolution of their ideas and their impact, and presents new theoretical developments in the field.

Autorentext

J. Morel; E. Bauer; T. Meleghy; H.-J. Niedenzu; M. Preglau; H. Staubmann (Universität Innsbruck)

Inhalt

Zur Entstehung soziologischer Theorie: Anfänge soziologischen Denkens. Verhaltenstheoretische Soziologie (Georg Caspar Homans). Symbolischer Interaktionismus (Georg Herbert Mead). Phänomenologische Soziologie (Alfred Schütz). Materialistische Gesellschatstheorie (Karl Marx). Der Strukturalismus (Claude Lévi-Strauss). Handlungstheoretische Systemtheorie (Talcott Parsons). Konflikttheorie (Ralf Dahrendorf). Prozeß- und Figurationstheorie (Norbert Elias). Sozialsysteme (Niklas Luhmann). Kritische Theorie (Jürgen Habermas). Feministische Soziologie (Regina Becker-Schmidt). Postmoderne Soziologie. Die Soziologie und die Soziologen.