Contested Knowledge: Social Theory Today

Contested knowledge has established itself as a leading text that brings social theory into the present day by providing the most up-to-date perspectives on social theory by one of the most important thinkers of our time, Steven Seidman. The title tracks the work of the major figures in the field, from the classical sociologists - Durkheim, Marx, Weber - to contemporary theorists, including Giddens, Foucault, Bourdieu, and Judith Butler. Through exploring contemporary social theories and movements (including feminism, poststructuralism, African-American thought, and queer theory), the author presents a compelling new approach to the tradition of sociological theory and its established canon. Contested Knowledge combines social analysis and moral advocacy, showing how social theory can and does - and sometimes doesn't - work within the public and political sphere.

Table of Contents:
Preface.Acknowledgments.Introduction.Part I: The Rise of The Classical Tradition.Introduction.1. A Science Of Society: The Enlightenment And Auguste Comte.2. The Revolutionary Theory Of Karl Marx.3. The Promise Of Sociology: Emile Durkheim.4. The Ironic Social Theory Of Max Weber.Afterword.Part II: Rethinking The Classical Tradition: American Sociology.Introduction.5. The Grand Theory Of Talcott Parsons And Peter Bergeer And Thomas Luckmann.6. The Scientific Theory Of Randall Collins And Peter Blau.7. The Moral Sociology Of C. Wright Mills And Robert Bellah.Afterword.Part III: Rethinking The Classical Tradition: European Theory.Introduction.8. The Critical Theory Of Jurgen Habermas.9. Stuart Hall And British Cultural Studies.10. The Critical Sociology Of Anthony Giddens And Pierre Bourdieu.Afterword.Part IV: Revisions and Revolts: The Postmodern Turn.Introduction.11. The Postmodern World Of Derrida, Lyotard, And Baudrillard.12. Michel Foucault's Disciplinary Society.13. Zygmunt Bauman's Sociology Of Postmodernty.Afterword.Part V: Revisions and Revolts: Identity Politics and Theory.Introduction.14. Feminist Theory.15. Critical Race Theory.16. Gay, Lesbian, And Queer Theory.17. Colonialism And Empire.Afterword.Epilogue: Social Theory Today.Index.

About the Author :
Steven Seidman is Professor of Sociology at State University of New York at Albany. He is a world renowned social theorist working in the areas of social theory, culture, sexuality, comparative sociology, theory of democracy, nationalism and globalization. He is the author and editor of several books including Embattled Eros: Sexual Politics and Ethics in Contemporary America (1992), The Postmodern Turn: New Perspectives on Social Theory (editor, 1995), Queer Theory/Sociology (Blackwell, 1996), The New Social Theory Reader: Contemporary Debates (edited with Jeffrey C. Alexander, 2001), and Beyond the Closet: The Transformation of Gay and Lesbian Life (2002).

Review :
"There is no better social theory text for demonstrating to students the political relevance of both past and current social thinkers. Seidman compellingly argues for a more lively, publicly-engaged sociology. Contested Knowledge is required reading for any discussion of how social theory can help us make sense of our own times."--Nancy L. Fischer, Macalester College "Seidman is one of the most original and profound voices in social theory today. A master of historical scholarship, he has produced here a revisionist theoretical story that will continue to be widely read and debated."--Jeffrey Alexander, Yale University "The Third edition of Contested Knowledge is a strong, clear and progressive argument for the active and moral role of sociological theory in a globalized and multicultural age. It is an optimistic, rigorous and reflective text, and a highly accessible one."--Joe Bailey, Kingston University