Sociology is experiencing what can only be described as hyperdifferentiation of theories - there are now many approaches competing for attention in the intellectual arena . From this perspective, we should see a weeding out of theories to a small number, but this is not likely to occur because each of the many theoretical perspectives has a resource base of adherents. As a result, theories in sociology do not compete head on with each other as much as they coexist.

This seminal reference work was brought together with an eye to capturing the diversity of theoretical activity in sociology - specifically the forefront of theory. Contributors describe what they themselves are doing right now rather than what others have done in the past. The goal of this volume is to allow prominent theorists working in a variety of traditions - who wouldn't usually come together - to review their work. The chapters in this volume represent a mix of theoretical orientations and strategies, butthese these theories are diverse and represent the prominent theoretical discussions in sociology today. Some areas included are:

Section I: Theoretical Methodologies and Strategies

Section II: The Cultural Turn in Sociological Theorizing

Section III: Theorizing Interaction Processes

Section IV: Theorizing from the Systemic and Macrolevel

Section V: New Directions in Evolutionary Theorizing

Section VI: Theorizing on Power, Conflict, and Change

SectionVII: Theorizing from Assumptions of Rationality

This handbook will be of interest to those wanting a broad spectrum and overview of late 20th - early 21st century sociological theory.

Klappentext

This wide-ranging handbook presents in-depth discussions on the array of subspecialties that comprise the field of sociological theory. Prominent theorists working in a variety of traditions discuss methodologies and strategies; the cultural turn in sociological theorizing; interaction processes; theorizing from the systemic and macro level; new directions in evolutionary theorizing; power, conflict, and change; and theorizing from assumptions of rationality.

Inhalt

1. Sociological Theory Today; J.H. Turner. Part I: Theoretical Methodologies and Strategies. 2. What Makes Sciences `Scientific'? S. Fuchs. 3. Formal Theory; G. Jasso. 4. Computational Approaches to Sociological Theorizing; K.M. Carley. 5. Critical Theorizing; C. Calhoun. 6. Metatheorizing in Sociology: The Basic Parameters and the Potential Contributions of Postmodernism; G. Ritzer, et al. Part II: The Cultural Turn in Sociological Theorizing. 7. The Strong Program in Cultural Theory: Elements of a Structural Hermeneutics; J. Alexander, P. Smith. 8. Postmodern Social Theory; G. Ritzer, D. Goodman. 9. Culture and Identity; M. Lamont. 10. Alley Art: Can We... See... At Last, The End of Ontology? J.R. Blau. Part III: Theorizing Interaction Processes. 11. Traditional Symbolic Interactionism, Role Theory, Structural Symbolic Interactionism: The Road to Identity Theory; S. Stryker. 12. Role Theory; R.H. Turner. 13. The Emotional/Relational World: Shame and the Social Bond; T.J. Scheff. 14. Action Theory; H. Joas, J. Beckert. 15. Accounts of Conduct in Interaction: Interruption, Overlap and Turn-taking; E.A. Schegloff. 16. Inequality, Status, and The Construction of Status Beliefs; C. Ridgeway. Part IV: Theorizing from the Systemic and Macro Level. 17. Macrostructural Theory; P.M. Blau. 18. The Return of Grand Theory; J.H. Turner, D.E. Boyns. 19. Systems Theory; K.D. Bailey. Part V: New Directions in Evolutionary Theorizing. 20. Sociobiological Theorizing: Evolutionary Sociology; J. Lopreato. 21. Evolutionary Theorizing; S.K. Sanderson. Part VI: Theorizing on Power, Conflict and Change. 22. Sociological Marxism; M. Burawoy, E.O. Wright. 23. Weberian Theory Today: The Public Face; A. Sica. 24. Conflict Theory and Interaction Rituals: The Microfoundations of Conflict Theory; J. Rossel, R. Collins. 25. Resource Mobilization Theory: Vigorous or Outmoded? A Dialogue with Critics, A Summary of Research Findings and Trends, and a Statement of Prospects; J.D. McCarthy, M.N. Zald. 26. Historical Analysis of Political Processes; C. Tilly. 27. World Systems Theory; C. Chase-Dunn. 28. Theoretical Understandings of Gender: A Third Century of Feminist Thought in Sociology; J. Saltzman Chafetz. Part VII: Theorizing from Assumptions of Rationality. 29. Social Rationality versus Rational Egoism; S. Lindenberg. 30. Comparison Theory; G. Jasso. 31. Exchange Theory; K. Cook, et al. Index.