The Encyclopedia of Social Theory contains over 500 entries varying from concise definitions of key terms and short biographies of key theorists to comprehensive surveys of leading concepts, debates, themes and schools. The object of the Encyclopedia has been to give thorough coverage of the central topics in theoretical sociology as well as terms and concepts in the methodology and philosophy of social science. Although 106 theorists are given entries, the emphasis of the work is on the elucidation of ideas rather than intellectual biography. The Encyclopedia covers the leading contemporary domains of debate on social theory and the classical legacies of social thinkers from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, giving proper balance to both the European and North American traditions and to important new developments in the global self-understanding of sociology.

Social theory has become one of the most vigorous specialisms of sociology in recent years. This is in part due to the considerable overlaps of social theory with other disciplinary areas, such as cultural and media studies, anthropology, and political theory, and to the cross-disciplinary nature of theoretical approaches such as feminism and psychoanalysis, and new fields such as postcolonial studies. The editors have therefore worked to produce in the Encyclopedia of Social Theory a first-call reference for students and researchers across the social sciences and humanities with an interest in contemporary theory and the modern history of ideas.

The Encyclopedia has been authored by leading international specialists in the field under the direction of a well-balanced editorial team. It is comprehensively cross-referenced and all larger entries carry bibliographies. There is a full index.

About the Author
Austin Harrington, Barbara L. Marshall, Hans-Peter Muller

Reviews

"Social theory occupies a central role in today's debates in such sociologyrelated disciplines as anthropology, political theory, political economy, media and cultural studies, feminist theory, and post-colonial studies. Heading a large team of international scholars, Harrington introduces some 500 entries by noting that the Encyclopedia's emphasis is on concepts, themes, debates, and schools of thought rather than on personalities. Signed entries ranging from about 300 to 2,500 words cover connotations of "action" to contemporary Slovenian theorist Zizek, Slavoj. They include references, cross-references, and further reading. The detailed index facilitates searches." --Reference 7& Research Book News

Book Information
ISBN 9780415753937
Author Austin Harrington
Format Paperback
Page Count 728
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g