Table of Contents

Prologue: The Rise of the Social Sciences
Social Thought in the Agrarian Empires
Medieval Universities Create the Modern Intellectual
Economics: the First Social Science
The Rise of Public Schools and the University Revolution
The Development of the Disciplines
1. The Conflict Tradition
The Pivotal Position of Karl Marx
Friedrich Engels, the Sociologist in the Shadows
Max Weber and the Multidimensional Theory of Stratification
The Twentieth Century Intermingles Marxian and Weberian Ideas
APPENDIX: Simmel, Coser, and Functionalist Conflict Theory
2. The Rational/Utilitarian Tradition
The Original Rise and Fall of Utilitarian Philosophy
Bringing the Individual Back In
Sociology Discovers Sexual and Marriage Markets
Three Applications of Sociological Markets: Educational Inflation, Split Labor Markets, Illegal Goods
The Paradoxes and Limits of Rationality
Proposed Rational Solutions for Creating Social Solidarity Economics Invades Sociology, and Vice Versa
The Rational Theory of the State
The New Utilitarian Policy Science
3. The Durkheimian Tradition
Sociology as the Science of Social Order
Two Wings: The Macro Tradition
The Second Wing: The Lineage of Social Anthropology
Ritual Exchange Networks: The Micro/Macro Linkage
The Future of the Durkheimian Tradition
4. The Microinteractionist Tradition
A Native American Sociology
The Pragmatism of Charles Sanders Peirce
Society Is in The Mind: Cooley
George Herbert Mead's Sociology of Thinking
Blumer Creates Symbolic Interactionism
The Sociology of Consciousness: Husserl, Schutz, and Garfinkel
Erving Goffman's Counterattack
A Summing Up
Notes
Epilogue
Bibliography
Index

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An accessible guide, by one of America's leading sociologists

Reviews

"The best introductory text I have seen. The readings make it a solid addition to our curriculum."--John Malarkey, Wilmington College
"Very excellent and comprehensive in integrating the Western Social theories."--Mun-Hee Kang, University of Delaware
"'Utilitarian Tradition' is a great addition. As a student of Coleman, fan of Stark and Bainbridge, and subscriber to Rationality and Society, I think this perspective in sociology is a growing and important one. It does need to be kept in perspective, and Collins is the ideal person to do that."--Mark G. Ecker, McHenry County College
"I really enjoyed reading this book. It is well-written and easy to read."--Kinko Ito, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
"Collins does a masterful job of outlining and elaborating basic sociological theory, at a level of abstraction appropriate to graduate study. By his treatment of his subject, he hastens his readers' grasp and application of sociology, and provides the readers with a theoretical framework on which to build their own contributions to the field."--Leslie Shellhase, University of Alabama
"An outstanding work on sociological theories; incisive, organized, and interesting."--Brij Mohan, Louisiana State University
"Excellent resource for teaching sociology during a time when time is limited and the demand for sociological insights is on the rise."--Paul D. Starr, Auburn University
"Looks very good for a first exposure to the field of sociology: intellectually engaging and interesting to read."--Larry H. Frye, St. Petersburg Jr. College
"Collins continues his usual excellent work. He is one of the best interpreters of social theory around. I've used his books in numerous undergraduate courses with success."--Anton K. Jacobs, William Jewell College
"The author writes in an accessible, chatty style, without condescension toward his readers. Collins unique perspective is reflected most clearly in the individual theorists he chooses to deify, vilify, or ignore altogether. This book will provide and engaging, controversial, and even entertaining overview of sociological theory."--CHristine L. Williams, University of Texas, Austin
(on text and readings book): "These books are prefect for helping students to understand the birth and development of sociological theory."--Tony Campolo, Eastern College, PA