This book makes social science theories approachable, empowering graduate students to connect theory to specific research contexts through engaging content and practical activities.

Jeong-Hee Kim is a Fulbright Scholar and Professor of Curriculum Studies and Teacher Education in the College of Education at Texas Tech University. She previously served as Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at TTU. Kim teaches graduate courses in curriculum theory, narrative inquiry, and related areas of education. Her research focuses on interdisciplinary curriculum making, with particular attention to bridging curriculum studies with fields such as engineering and medical education. As a 2025-2026 Fulbright Scholar, Kim undertook a curriculum project in narrative medicine that integrates storytelling, the arts, and the humanities into medical education, fostering more humanistic approaches to medical practice and shaping the professional identities of future physicians. Her scholarship has received wide recognition, including multiple awards from the American Educational Research Association (AERA). In 2017, she was honored with the AERA Outstanding Publication Award for her influential book, Understanding Narrative Inquiry (Sage, 2016). Beyond her academic life, Kim enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and running-activities that help sustain her sense of connection with people and place.

Preface Acknowledgment About the Author Chapter 1: Introduction: What Is Theory? Prelude: Theory-Personal or too Personal? What Is Theory? Why Theory? Theoretical Framework Theory as Paradigm and Philosophy Forward Thinking: P/A/R/T The Gordian Knot Philosophical Exercises (Askesis) Further Readings Notes Chapter 2: Evolution of Philosophy of Science: Positivism, Logical Positivism, and Postpositivism Prelude: Dracula Philosophy of Science Positivism: Auguste Comte (1798-1857), Founder of Positivism Logical Positivism and Logical Empiricism Postpositivism: "Less Arrogant Form of Positivism" Enduring Positivism Forward Thinking: Understanding Incommensurability and Shifting Paradigms The Gordian Knot Philosophical Exercises (Askesis) Further Readings Notes Chapter 3: Interpretivism, Hermeneutics, and Phenomenology Prelude: Spiegel im Spiegel (Mirror in the Mirror) Interpretivism and Hermeneutics Phenomenology Descriptive, Transcendental Phenomenology: Edmund Husserl (1859-1938) Phenomenological Methods Hermeneutical, Ontological Phenomenology: Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) Contemporary Phenomenology: Insights Into Future Inquiry Forward Thinking: Phenomenology as the Humble Philosophy of the Beginning The Gordian Knot Phenomenology for Research Philosophical Exercises (Askesis) Further Readings Notes Chapter 4: Pragmatism, Symbolic Interactionism, and Semiotics Prelude: A Serendipity What Is Pragmatism? Four American Pillars of Pragmatism Pragmatism Reconsidered Symbolic Interactionism Symbolic Interactionism in Research Semiotics Forward Thinking: Toward a Neuroscience of the Mind and Brain The Gordian Knot Pragmatism for Research Philosophical Exercise (Askesis) Further Readings Notes Chapter 5: Critical Theories: Marxism, Critical Theory, and Critical Race Theory Prelude: On Scapegoating Critical Theories Marxism Marxist Philosophers Critical Theory Critical Race Theory Forward Thinking: Toward a Critical Pedagogy of Love and Hope The Gordian Knot Critical Theory and Critical Race Theory for Research Philosophical Exercises (Askesis) Further Readings Notes Chapter 6: Feminist Theories Prelude: "Battle of the Sexes" Thy Name Is Woman: Deconstructing Gender Injustice What Is Feminist Theory? Strands of Feminist Theory Forward Thinking: Toward Intersectionality as Critical Social Theory The Gordian Knot Feminist Theory for Research Philosophical Exercise (Askesis) Further Readings Notes Chapter 7: Poststructuralism Prelude: Beginning in the Middle What Is Poststructuralism? Foucault (1926-1984): Knowledge, Power, and the Self Deleuze (1925-1995): Multiplicities of Rhizomatic Thinking Derrida (1930-2004): Deconstruction as Justice Forward Thinking: Toward a "Logic of the AND" The Gordian Knot Poststructuralism for Research Philosophical Exercises (Askesis) Further Readings Notes Chapter 8: Postcolonial Theory and Indigenous Ways of Knowing Prelude: Columbus Day and Indigenous Day Why Postcolonialism? What Is Postcolonialism? Fanon (1925-1961): From Psychiatrist to Architect of Postcolonial Theory Said (1935-2003): Pioneer of Postcolonialism and Critique of Orientalism Bhabha (1949-): Negotiating Postcolonial Identity Asia: Decolonization, Deimperialization, and De-Cold War Latin America: Coloniality and Decoloniality Indigenous Ways of Knowing Forward Thinking: Toward a Decolonial Being-"I Am Where I Think" The Gordian Knot Postcolonialism for Research Philosophical Exercise (Askesis) Further Readings Notes Chapter 9: Posthuman Theory and New Materialisms Prelude: A River as a Legal Person Posthumanism Woman Troika of Posthuman Theory Haraway (1944-): "We Are They" Barad (1956 -): Agential Realism Braidotti (1954 -): Posthuman Predicament in the Anthropocene New Materialisms Forward Thinking: Toward One Health and One Wellbeing The Gordian Knot Posthumanism for Research Philosophical Exercise (Askesis) Further Readings Notes Chapter 10: New Beginnings: Toward an Axio-Onto-Epistemology of the Earth Prelude: Whos Afraid of Theory? Hybridity as Braiding Narrative, Medicine, and Education: My Braiding Forward Thinking: Toward an Axio-Onto-Epistemology of the Earth References

Theoretical and Philosophical Foundations of Social Inquiry presents readers with an introduction to the role of theory, the emergence and evolution of different "historical moments" of social thought, and how theory shapes not only thinking but doing. -- Amira Proweller This is an innovative, creative, and interesting book that students will actually enjoy reading. The content is strong, and the focus on critical race theory, feminisms, and post-human inquiry provides students with key ideas in contemporary qualitative research. -- Julia Storberg-Walker The author draws on solid foundations and contemporary relevance to illuminate the rich discussions of the consequential theories discussed in the text. Students will learn and draw analogies about the underpinnings of significant social inquiry within the contemporary time. -- Deidra F. Jackson Social inquiry textbooks rarely deliver this level of breadth and depth. Moreover, the end-of-chapter features are comprehensive resources for students understanding and analysis. -- Carmen L. McCrink