Synopses & Reviews
Collection of key works in important new and distinctively American sociological tradition.
Review
"The rise of cultural sociology has been one of the most important developments in recent American social science. Philip Smith's anthology does an admirable job of introducing the major lines of inquiry which have made cultural sociology flourish. His collection demonstrates both the analytic achievements and the breadth of the field." Craig Calhoun, New York University"This is a much needed presentation of the best of American cultural sociology. Phil Smith enables us to appreciate the strong disciplinary character of American cultural sociology compared with its more interdisciplinary counterparts in Britain and Europe. European critics may not be appeased, but they will be better informed as a result." Kenneth A. Thompson, The Open University"By bringing together papers that represent major issues in the field, Smith provides both a sophisticated introduction to the field for newcomers and a reference point for scholars working in the field. The book is a valuable resource for undergraduate and graduate courses in the sociology of culture." Contemporary Sociology
Table of Contents
The new American cultural sociology: an introduction Philip Smith; Part I. Culture as Text and Code: 1. Textuality and the postmodern turn in sociological theory Richard Harvey Brown; 2. The computer as sacred and profane Jeffrey C. Alexander; 3. AIDS and the discursive construction of homosexuality Steven Seidman; 4. Fundamentalism and liberalism in public religious discourse Robert Wuthnow; 5. Analytic and concrete forms of the autonomy of culture Anne Kane; Part II. The Production and Reception of Culture: 6. The reception of Derrida's work in France and America Michèle Lamont; 7. Censorship audiences and the Victorian nude Nicola Beisel; 8. The devil, social change and Jacobean theatre Wendy Griswold; 9. Victorian women writers and the prestige of the novel Gaye Tuchman and Nina Fortin; 10. The ambiguous and contested meanings of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Robin Wagner-Pacifici and Barry Schwartz; Part III. Culture in Action: 11. Culture and social action Ann Swidler; 12. Culture structure agency and transformation William H. Sewell Jr; 13. Discourse nuclear power and collective action William Gamson; 14. Moral boundaries leisure activities and justifying fun Gary Alan Fine; 15. Honour and conflict management in corporate life Calvin Morrill; 16. The role of cultural capital in school success Paul DiMaggio.