Incorporating Diversity: Rethinking Assimilation in a Multicultural Age

Kivisto (sociology, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois) brings together a collection of 16 journal articles and book chapters providing migration and ethnic relations scholars a ready guide to key texts in the development of assimilation theory from its earliest formulation a century ago to the present day. In an introductory chapter, Kivisto provides an historical perspective on the current revival of the concept of assimilation in the field of sociology. The five essays that follow, dating from 1914 to 1964, trace the classical formulation of assimilation theory; six essays from the 1990s explore the reconsideration of the utility and validity of assimilation theory by a growing number of sociologists and historians during the 1990s; the remaining five essays from 1993-2003 address new directions. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Peter Kivisto is the Richard Swanson Professor of Social Thought and Chair of Sociology at Augustana College. Among his recent books are Key Ideas in Sociology, 2nd edition (2004) and Multiculturalism in a Global Society (2002).