Contemporary Sociology

Martin Holborn is Associate Lecturer in Social Sciences at The Open University. He is co-author of a major introductory school-level sociology textbook, as well as several study guides for A-level students.

"Chapters are written with clarity, at an undergraduate academic level that would challenge the most able A level student. Each chapter ends with a range of seminar questions that could help a teacher of A level Sociology think of extension questions for their students.The lists of further reading are very useful and up to date. This book can be recommended as one for teachers’ own subject updates (eg: the entries on the identity and disability were easy to find and very useful for my own subject update needed)."The Sociology Teacher"Wide in their scope, up to date in orientation, the chapters gathered here are an excellent introduction to sociology. The authors are experts in their respective fields and communicate the engagement and urgency of the sociological imagination in our present times."John Holmwood, University of Nottingham and President of the British Sociological Association"Lively and engaging, Contemporary Sociology provides students with in-depth insights into today's pressing sociological concerns. Written by experts in their field, each chapter avoids simple summary and instead raises questions to spark the sociological imagination."Ellen Annandale, The University of York and member of the Executive Committee of the European Sociological Association

• IntroductionSECTION A: SOCIAL DIVISIONS1 The Idea of Class: a measure of valueBeverley Skeggs2 Sex, Gender and Sexuality: the case for critical analysisKath Woodward3 Race, Ethnicity and Nationality: the future of multiculturalism in a global ageAndrew Pilkington4 Age and the Life Course: continuity, change and the modern mirage of infinite choiceLorraine GreenSECTION B: OPPORTUNITIES AND INEQUALITIES5 Work: experience, identities and meaningsTim Strangleman6 Health, Illness and the Body: what lies beneathGraham Scambler and Sasha Scambler7 Education: beyond meritocracy and reproductionRob Moore8 Poverty and the Welfare State: economic, social and political intersectionsMary DalySECTION C: GLOBALIZATION AND SOCIAL CHANGE9 Globalization: experiencing social change on a global scaleDarren O’Byrne10 The Environment: sociology at its (natural) limitsPhilip W. Sutton11 Science, Technology and Social Change: knowledge, expertise and practicesMark Erickson12 Development and Underdevelopment: rethinking the shape of a globalizing worldPaul HopperSECTION D: CULTURE AND PERSONAL LIFE13 Leisure and Consumption: a critical analysis of ‘free time’Sheila Scraton & Beccy Watson14 Religion and Sources of Significance: the dawning of a secular age?Paul Heelas15 The Sociology of the Mass Media: circuits of communication and structures of powerGreg Philo, David Miller and Catherine Happer16 Families and Personal Life: all change?Vanessa MaySECTION E: THE STATE, VIOLENCE, CRIME AND CONTROL17 Power and the State: flourishing union, divorce or metamorphosis?Michael S. Drake18 Violence, Coercion and Human Rights: understanding organized brutalitySinisa Malesevic19 Crime: concepts, causes, controlRobert ReinerSECTION F: THEORY AND METHODS20 Sociological Theory: formal and informalWilliam Outhwaite21 Methodology: the essence of sociology?Martyn HammersleyReferences