Making Sense of Social Theory

Charles H. Powers is a professor of sociology at Santa Clara University.

• Part 1 Part 1: Understanding What Theory Is About Chapter 2 Ch. 1: Becoming a Better Social Scientist by Learning More about Social Theory Chapter 3 Ch. 2: Theory Is Not as Hard as It Sounds! Chapter 4 Ch. 3: Sociological Theory and the Scientific Method Part 5 Part 2: Thinking About the Roots, Methods, and Uses of Sociological Theory Chapter 6 Chapter 4: The Historical Context for a Science of Society Chapter 7 Chapter 5: Being Conscious about Theory Construction Chapter 8 Chapter 6: Economics was not Enough: The Need for Sociological Principles Part 9 Part 3: Sociology's Most Prominent Founding Figures: Durkheim, Marx, Weber, and Mead Chapter 10 Chapter 7: Emile Durkheim and the Birth of Scientific Sociology Chapter 11 Chapter 8: Karl Marx on Resistance from Below: Recognizing the Opposing Interests of Different Groups Chapter 12 Chapter 9: Max Weber and the Primacy of Values: Moving Past Economic Determinism Chapter 13 Chapter 10: Agency in the Work of George Herbert Mead: Individuals Working Together to Produce Social Reality Part 14 Part 4: Making Sense of Sociology's Theoretical Paradigms— Grasping the Basics Chapter 15 Chapter 11: Talcott Parsons and Structural-Functionalism Made Easy: Systems Change When Needs Are Not Met Chapter 16 Chapter 12: Conflict Theory: Always Ask Who Benefits Chapter 17 Chapter 13: Symbolic Interactionism in Everyday Life: People Make a Difference Chapter 18 Chapter 14: Exchange Theory in the Background Part 19 Part 5: Taking Stock of Sociological Theory - A Recap Chapter 20 Chapter 15: From Metatheory to Theory in Sociology: A Compendium of Axioms and Principles Chapter 21 Chapter 16: Sociology as a Coherent Discipline Chapter 22 Chapter 17: Writing for Impact in the Social Sciences: Some Practical Remarks for Students Chapter 23 Postscript Chapter 24 An Invitation to Further Dialogue

In the second edition of Making Sense of Social Theory, Charles Powers highlights the practical uses of social theory by expanding on real world, relatable examples that occur in everyday life. Students will find these examples accessible and ultimately learn a great deal about the applications of social theory in their own lives. Powers succeeds here in making classical and contemporary social theory—often obtuse and complex—relatable, sensible, and teachable.