While other academic disciplines claim a focus around specific subject matter, sociologists think of their field as an approach to understanding the often invisible forces and social contexts that shape the way people conduct their lives. How these forces and contexts are structured is central to sociology. But how do sociologists analyze these invisible structures? This book contributes to our understanding by bringing together a remarkable set of master essays about modern sociology written by some of the leading figures of the field. Each author describes a vision of sociological inquiry or offers an example of research that illustrates approaches and problems encountered in doing sociological work. The collection is rounded out with a prologue by Kai Erikson, an epilogue by Paul DiMaggio, and an extraordinary autobiographical essay by Robert K. Merton. The book is introduced by its editor as a set of reflections, a gathering of visions. But the range of topics and the variety of authors represented make it a valuable introduction to sociology as a discipline and as a way of thinking.

About the Author
Kai Erikson is Professor of Sociology at Yale University, the author of the classics.Everything In Its Path and other widley ready books.

Reviews
The whole book is in fact a treat for old stagers in the sociological establishment, full of serious reflections about the difficulties and intriguing intellectual charm of living nd working with a discipline which 'has never been able to make up its mind quite what it is' (Smelser, Sociology as Science, Humanism and Art, p.20). -- Martin Albrow, Roehampton Institute and London School of Economics and Political Science * British Journal of Sociology, Vol.50 No.2 (June 1999) *



Book Information
ISBN 9780847685097
Author Kai Erickson
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Weight(grams) 417g
Dimensions(mm) 227mm * 150mm * 18mm