In Social Life, the authors highlight, explain, and scrutinize socio-theoretical analyses of contemporary social relations and conditions - put forward by eight modern social theorists - and analyse how these have informed sociological inquiries into people's lives in today's social world. The book discusses the works of the following social theorists: Anthony Giddens Pierre Bourdieu Bruno Latour Donna Haraway Zygmunt Bauman Jean-Francois Lyotard Michel Foucault Jean Baudrillard In each chapter, the authors identify the key components of each theorist's conception of society and apply the theories outlined to specific, modern phenomena. This connection with modern-day phenomena allows for a critical interrogation of issues in contemporary society, including: Inequality and Capital, Power, Fear and Terrorism, Immune System Discourse, Suffering, and Climate Change. Essential reading for all sociology students studying social theory and the works of modern social theorists.
Dr Matthias Benzer is a Lecturer of Sociology at the University of Sheffield. He previously held the Peacock Fellowship at the Centre for Analysis of Risk and Regulation, London School of Economics (2010-2012), and a Lectureship in Sociology at the University of Manchester (2008-2010). Matthias obtained a PhD in Sociology from the London School of Economics in 2008 with a thesis in Sociological Theory. I joined the University of Sheffield in January 2004 as a Lecturer in Medical Sociology. I conducted my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Liverpool, Lancaster and Southampton. After completing my PhD in 2000 at the university of Southampton I held a lectureship from 2000-2003 in Sociology at the University of Kent before moving to the University of Sheffield. 2018 marks my promotion to Professorship. My research interests are as follows: sociology of health and illness, gender, social theory, race and ethnicity.
Anthony Giddens: Living with Radical Modernity Pierre Bourdieu: Capital and Forms of Social Suffering Bruno Latour: Rethinking Modern Social Life Donna Haraway: New Modes of Sociality Zygmunt Bauman: Liquid Social Life Jean-Francois Lyotard: Living in Postmodernity Michel Foucault: Power over Life Jean Baudrillard: Terror, Death, Exchange Emerging Sociological Themes and Concerns Conclusion
Benzer and Reed grab their favourite things from their favourite theorists and assemble those closely examined nuggets into their own kaleidoscopic-fragmentary theory of contemporary society. Avoiding the fetish of comprehensiveness that ruins most textbooks, they have produced a tool that students will actually find useful for studying. -- Dr Marcel Stoetzler, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Bangor University This collection of essays on social theorists is highly readable and complex ideas are presented clearly. These are excellent discussions based on close engagement with the original texts that will be a valuable sources for both students and academics. -- Larry Ray, Professor of Sociology, University of Kent
