Key Ideas in Sociology

Kivisto (sociology, Augustana College) follows the course of key concepts that have shaped sociological discourse from the founding period in the 19th century to the present, and examines four key ideas that have played a central role: industrial society, democracy, individualism, and modernity. These concepts are connected to the pioneering figures of sociological theory. This second edition includes a new concluding chapter on globalization, a new timeline, and more coverage of theoretical ideas and contributions from women and minorities. Chapter summaries and review questions are also new. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Peter Kivisto, PhD (New School for Social Research), is the Richard Swanson Professor of Social Thought and chair of sociology at Augustana College. Among his recent books are Citizenship: Discourse, Theory, and Transnational Prospects (2007, with Thomas Faist), Intersecting Inequalities (2007, with Elizabeth Hartung), Incorporating Diversity: Rethinking Assimilation in a Multicultural Age (2005), Key Ideas in Sociology (2nd ed., 2004), Multiculturalism in a Global Society (2002), and Social Theory: Roots and Branches (2nd ed., 2002). His primary scholarly and teaching interests revolve around social theory and ethnic and immigration studies. He has served as secretary-treasurer of the American Sociological Association's Theory and International Migration Sections and is currently serving as Editor of The Sociological Quarterly.