New directions in sociology : essays on theory and methodology in the 21st century / edited by Ieva Zake and Michael DeCesare.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Zake, Ieva.

DeCesare, Michael, 1975-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Sociology.

Sociology--Methodology.

Physical Description:

vi, 243 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland, [2011]

Summary:

Given the postmodern trend toward applied sociology, is sociological theory dead? Will statisticism continue to dominant analysis? In this collection of a dozen provocative essays, Zake (Rowan U., Glassboro, NJ) and DeCesare (Merrimack College, N. Andover, MA) introduce themes relating to the future of sociology. Classical and postmodern thought are mined for insights into new directions for the field, e.g, Karl Popper's 1963 critique of social sciences' shortcomings is revisited. Alternative methodologies discussed include neglected comparative-historical methods, auto-ethnography, and social inquiry through fictional stories. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Contents:

Part I Theory

Section 1 Inspirations from the Past

1 Hermeneutics and Sociology: Deepening the Interpretive Perspective / Isaac Reed Reed, Isaac, Benjamin Lamb-Books Lamb-Books, Benjamin 13

2 The Austrian School: Old Ideas in Economics and New Research Opportunities in Sociology / Joshua McCabe McCabe, Joshua, Brian Pitt Pitt, Brian 30

3 Karl Popper's Criticism of Sociology: Renewing the Call for an Open Sociology / Ieva Zake Zake, Ieva 50

Section 2 New Paths Forward

4 Culture, Agency and the Means of Simulation: Critical Assessment of Postmodernism / David Boyns Boyns, David 69

5 Consequences of Experience: The Place of Life Course and Biography in Theory Formulation / Keith Kerr Kerr, Keith 89

6 Critical Space: Divisions, Ambiguities, and Conceptions of Space in Social Theory / Patricia Snell Snell, Patricia 104

7 Finding Coherence in Sociology: (Finally!) A Foundational Theory / Debbie Kasper Kasper, Debbie 121

Part II Methodology

Section 3 Tactical Innovations

8 "Shut Up in Measureless Content": Confronting the Measurement Problem in Sociology / Michael DeCesare DeCesare, Michael 145

9 In Defense of Doing Nothing: The Methodological Utility of Introversion / Peter Moskos Moskos, Peter 160

Section 4 Strategic Approaches

10 The Neglected Virtues of Comparative-Historical Methods / Mikaila Mariel Lemonik Arthur Arthur, Mikaila Mariel Lemonik 172

11 Autoethnography: The Sociological Through the Personal / Natalia Ruiz-Junco Ruiz-Junco, Natalia, Salvador Vidal-Ortiz Vidal-Ortiz, Salvador 193

12 Fictional Stories: A Method for Doing Sociology / Todd Schoepflin Schoepflin, Todd, Peter Kaufman Kaufman, Peter 212.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"Written by the new generation of sociologists, these essays chart a course for the future of the discipline, both by revisiting forgotten theories and methods and by suggesting innovative theoretical and methodological approaches. Comprised of seven essays on theory and five on methodology, the volume attempts to reconnect theorists and methodologists in a discussion about the future"--Provided by publisher.

ISBN:

9780786463428

0786463422

OCLC:

707825570