Contemporary sociological theory

by George Ritzer

Written by one of the foremost authorities in American sociological theory,Modern Sociological Theory is a comprehensive overview of the schools of modern sociological thought. Reflecting changes in this fourth edition and paving the way for a separate text on Postmodern Social Theory,which Ritzer is now writing,the title is changed from,Contemporary Theory to Modern Sociological Theory. Part I continues to offer two chapters devoted to the hsitory of sociological theory. Part II,with significant changes in terms of content and organization,devotes six chapters to the major schools of modern sociological theory. Two chapters in Part III address recent integrative developments,namely micro-macro and agency-structure. Part IV,which is new,provides two chaptes addressing contemporary theories in modernity,structuralism,and poststructuralism,and the emergence of postmodern social theroy. The book concludes with an appendix which provides a metatheorical schema that informs the text,and highlights the latest work in sociological metalworking.

349 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1983

About the author

George Ritzer is Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland. He has named at Distinguished-Scholar Teacher at Maryland and received the American Sociological Association’s Distinguished Contribution to Teaching Award. Among his academic awards are an Honorary Doctorate from La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; Honorary Patron, University Philosophical Society, Trinity College, Dublin; and the 2012-2013 Robin William Lectureship from the Eastern Sociological Society. He has chaired four Sections of the American Sociological Association- Theoretical Sociology, Organizations and Occupations, first Chair of Global and Transnational Sociology, and the History of Sociology.
His books have been translated into over twenty languages, with over a dozen translations of The McDonaldization of Society alone.