Sociology - Methodology, Social Sciences - Methodology, Academic & Research Paper Writing, Social Sciences - General & Miscellaneous

Public Sociology

Name: Public Sociology
Author: Ben Agger
ISBN: 9780742541061

by Ben Agger

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Overview

Public Sociology, Second Edition, looks at sociology as a social act and argues for a sociology that can more fully embrace and address crucial public issues. Building on the philosophy of science and recent postmodernist critiques, Ben Agger shows how social science texts reproduce the existing social world. But rather than dwelling on recent critiques, this book looks ahead to a new way of doing science-one that is simultaneously more scientific and humanistic. Its prescient view of how social science can take the lead in building a more democratic public sphere will make it valuable reading for every scholar.

Synopsis

Public Sociology examines the 'discourse' of mainstream journal articles in sociology in order to understand the essentially conservative nature of mainstream sociology. These articles primarily make advances in method, not substance. Drawing from Mills, critical theory and postmodernism, Agger develops a non-positivist version of sociological writing that is at once accessible and relevant to social problems.

About the Author, Ben Agger

Ben Agger is Professor of Sociology and Humanities at the University of Texas at Arlington. He also directs the Center for Theory. He edits the electronic journal Fast Capitalism (www.fastcapitalism.com). Among his recent books are Postponing the Postmodern, Speeding Up Fast Capitalism, Fast Families, and Virtual Children (with Beth Anne Shelton).