Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
In this fascinating introductory text, a renowned sociologist advances the concept of sociology as an enlightening method of viewing the world rather than a cold science of numbers, grafts, and equations. Kai Erikson suggests that a particular focus and imagination sets the sociologist apart from poets, historians, economists, and other observers of humans and their environments. Erikson's lively and accessible volume discusses the sociologist's unique perspective, how sociology became a field of study, and how it has adapted over the years to address new areas of study such as stratification and dehumanization. Eschewing the normal textbook approach that reviews theories and data extraction methods, this widely respected author's introduction to his field provides the reader with new ways of thinking about human societies and social life, and offers an exhilarating sense of seeing what the world looks like when viewed with a sociological eye.
Synopsis
The culmination of a distinguished career, this fascinating exploration into the nature of human social life describes the field of sociology as a way of looking at the world rather than as a simple gathering of facts about it. Kai Erikson notes that sociologists look out at the same human scenes as poets, historians, economists, or any other observers of the vast social landscape spread out before them, but select different aspects of that vast panorama to focus on and attend to. Erikson's lively and accessible volume considers how sociology became a field of study, and how it has turned its attention over time to new areas of study such as race and gender and what Erikson calls "social speciation." This book provides readers with new ways of thinking about human culture and social life--an exhilarating sense of what the world looks like when viewed with a sociologist's eye.
Synopsis
A masterful introduction to and appreciation of sociology as a window into our world
The culmination of a distinguished career, this fascinating exploration into the nature of human social life describes the field of sociology as a way of looking at the world rather than as a simple gathering of facts about it. Kai Erikson notes that sociologists look out at the same human scenes as poets, historians, economists, or any other observers of the vast social landscape spread out before them, but select different aspects of that vast panorama to focus on and attend to. Erikson's lively and accessible volume considers how sociology became a field of study, and how it has turned its attention over time to new areas of study such as race and gender and what Erikson calls "social speciation." This book provides readers with new ways of thinking about human culture and social life--an exhilarating sense of what the world looks like when viewed with a sociologist's eye.