Overview

This is a textbook with a twist. Written as a novel, it follows the story of Mila, a new student who is making it her mission to find out what makes sociology so important. Grappling with the subject's big ideas, Mila tests out sociological themes, debates and theories through conversations with new university friends and family back at home. As she begins to understand how sociology can be applied to everyday experiences, she starts to look at the world around her in a new light. This book gives brilliantly clear explanations of the most important aspects of sociology. It is the perfect introduction to sociological thinking for students of all abilities.

Full Product Details

9780230232464

Table of Contents

Reviews

I read this book with great pleasure, enjoying how it took the beginner student reader on a voyage of sociological discovery. The combination of an engaging narrative with the systematic presentation of sociological thinking works very well and is a neat way of encouraging the newcomer to apply such ideas to their own circumstances. The book is a really novel, pedagogically efficacious, intellectual means of stimulating thought within and about sociology David Inglis, Professor of Sociology, University of Aberdeen, UK I found the book engaging and wholly appropriate for the sorts of things I cover with fresh students, and that's where I think the beauty of this book lies: its accessibility to those alarmed by the task ahead because they feel not quite prepared for the rigors of a sociology degree. Joel Nathan Rosen, Associate Professor of Sociology, Moravian College, USA 'I really do think this will be popular because [it has] some great hook lines and clinchers as well as a really neat way of applying the big ideas to everyday life. Every lecturer in every land will be borrowing material! this book is a real winner.' Adrian Franklin, Professor of Sociology, UTAS, Australia The authors have a knack for presenting ideas in dramatic dialogue. The text conveys the interest and the central thoughts of sociology and sociologists in very graspable ways and with entertaining characters. Gregor McLennan, Professor of Sociology, University of Bristol, UK A thoughtful, engaging and lively contribution to the teaching of sociology. Dead White Men and Other Important People certainly is a novel approach to writing sociology for students and one that I found provided very clear with succinct explanations of the material covered. The style, tone, level of sophistication and the type of ideas being discussed are perfect for junior sociology students. Catriona Elder, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, USYD, Australia 'This book has a completely different approach to anything else I've read on the subject. It's really refreshing and makes theory a lot easier to understand because it's written in language that means I can concentrate and take it in for longer than with other textbooks.' Holly, a Sociology Student 'Dead White Men and Other Important People really helps me to understand complex aspects of social science and the theory behind it. I found that other textbooks over complicate theory, but this book gives me a broader understanding of each topic as a whole and helps me to understand parts that I haven't been able to grasp before. And I really like the modern day comparisons. It's really easy to dip into certain chapters, or to read the book as a whole.' Katy, a Sociology Student I think this book is absolutely fantastic. The idea of structuring social theory around conversations works really well and the style makes it both easy and exciting to read. Tony, a Sociology Student

"""An artful review of topics that over the past two decades have become paramount in sociology: identity, the emotions, the body, gender and genes, class, status and power, as well as the status of sociology itself as a discipline."" Steve Fuller, Professor of Sociology, University of Warwick, UK in the Times Higher Education supplement ""I read this book with great pleasure, enjoying how it took the beginner student reader on a voyage of sociological discovery. The combination of an engaging narrative with the systematic presentation of sociological thinking works very well and is a neat way of encouraging the newcomer to apply such ideas to their own circumstances. The book is a really novel, pedagogically efficacious, intellectual means of stimulating thought within and about sociology"" David Inglis, Professor of Sociology, University of Aberdeen, UK ""I found the book engaging and wholly appropriate for the sorts of things I cover with fresh students, and that's where I think the beauty of this book lies: its accessibility to those alarmed by the task ahead because they feel not quite prepared for the rigors of a sociology degree."" Joel Nathan Rosen, Associate Professor of Sociology, Moravian College, USA 'I really do think this will be popular because [it has] some great hook lines and clinchers as well as a really neat way of applying the big ideas to everyday life. Every lecturer in every land will be borrowing material... this book is a real winner.' Adrian Franklin, Professor of Sociology, UTAS, Australia ""The authors have a knack for presenting ideas in dramatic dialogue. The text conveys the interest and the central thoughts of sociology and sociologists in very graspable ways and with entertaining characters."" Gregor McLennan, Professor of Sociology, University of Bristol, UK ""A thoughtful, engaging and lively contribution to the teaching of sociology. Dead White Men and Other Important People certainly is a novel approach to writing sociology for students and one that I found provided very clear with succinct explanations of the material covered. The style, tone, level of sophistication and the type of ideas being discussed are perfect for junior sociology students."" Catriona Elder, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, USYD, Australia 'An excellent primer for students about to commence or commencing a degree in sociology. Written as a novel, the narrative follows a student traversing her first year at university and informs students as much about the new adventures they are likely to face as it does about Marx, Weber and Durkheim. The text is highly accessible and in my opinion a 'must read' for sociology students.' Gethin Rees, Lecturer in Sociology, University of Newcastle 'This book has a completely different approach to anything else I've read on the subject. It's really refreshing and makes theory a lot easier to understand because it's written in language that means I can concentrate and take it in for longer than with other textbooks.' Holly, a Sociology Student 'Dead White Men and Other Important People really helps me to understand complex aspects of social science and the theory behind it. I found that other textbooks over complicate theory, but this book gives me a broader understanding of each topic as a whole and helps me to understand parts that I haven't been able to grasp before. And I really like the modern day comparisons. It's really easy to dip into certain chapters, or to read the book as a whole.' Katy, a Sociology Student ""I think this book is absolutely fantastic. The idea of structuring social theory around conversations works really well and the style makes it both easy and exciting to read."" Tony, a Sociology Student '...it [is] accessible, both as a novel and as an introduction to sociology...I learnt a lot from Dead White Men...' - The University of Otago Student Paper"

An artful review of topics that over the past two decades have become paramount in sociology: identity, the emotions, the body, gender and genes, class, status and power, as well as the status of sociology itself as a discipline. Steve Fuller, Professor of Sociology, University of Warwick, UK in the Times Higher Education supplement I read this book with great pleasure, enjoying how it took the beginner student reader on a voyage of sociological discovery. The combination of an engaging narrative with the systematic presentation of sociological thinking works very well and is a neat way of encouraging the newcomer to apply such ideas to their own circumstances. The book is a really novel, pedagogically efficacious, intellectual means of stimulating thought within and about sociology David Inglis, Professor of Sociology, University of Aberdeen, UK I found the book engaging and wholly appropriate for the sorts of things I cover with fresh students, and that's where I think the beauty of this book lies: its accessibility to those alarmed by the task ahead because they feel not quite prepared for the rigors of a sociology degree. Joel Nathan Rosen, Associate Professor of Sociology, Moravian College, USA 'I really do think this will be popular because [it has] some great hook lines and clinchers as well as a really neat way of applying the big ideas to everyday life. Every lecturer in every land will be borrowing material... this book is a real winner.' Adrian Franklin, Professor of Sociology, UTAS, Australia The authors have a knack for presenting ideas in dramatic dialogue. The text conveys the interest and the central thoughts of sociology and sociologists in very graspable ways and with entertaining characters. Gregor McLennan, Professor of Sociology, University of Bristol, UK A thoughtful, engaging and lively contribution to the teaching of sociology. Dead White Men and Other Important People certainly is a novel approach to writing sociology for students and one that I found provided very clear with succinct explanations of the material covered. The style, tone, level of sophistication and the type of ideas being discussed are perfect for junior sociology students. Catriona Elder, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, USYD, Australia 'An excellent primer for students about to commence or commencing a degree in sociology. Written as a novel, the narrative follows a student traversing her first year at university and informs students as much about the new adventures they are likely to face as it does about Marx, Weber and Durkheim. The text is highly accessible and in my opinion a 'must read' for sociology students.' Gethin Rees, Lecturer in Sociology, University of Newcastle 'This book has a completely different approach to anything else I've read on the subject. It's really refreshing and makes theory a lot easier to understand because it's written in language that means I can concentrate and take it in for longer than with other textbooks.' Holly, a Sociology Student 'Dead White Men and Other Important People really helps me to understand complex aspects of social science and the theory behind it. I found that other textbooks over complicate theory, but this book gives me a broader understanding of each topic as a whole and helps me to understand parts that I haven't been able to grasp before. And I really like the modern day comparisons. It's really easy to dip into certain chapters, or to read the book as a whole.' Katy, a Sociology Student I think this book is absolutely fantastic. The idea of structuring social theory around conversations works really well and the style makes it both easy and exciting to read. Tony, a Sociology Student '...it [is] accessible, both as a novel and as an introduction to sociology...I learnt a lot from Dead White Men...' - The University of Otago Student Paper

Author Information

RALPH FEVRE, Professor of Social Research, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, UK. ANGUS BANCROFT, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, UK. Between them, Fevre and Bancroft have 30 years of experience teaching sociological theory in the U.K. and U.S. They have published widely in both books and journals.

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