This superlative Companion provides a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to the discipline of Sociology.

Chet Ballard is Professor of Sociology at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia. He has served as president of the Georgia Sociological Association, vice-president of the Association for Humanist Sociology, and has produced over 20 scholarly articles and research reports. His most recent research describes how rural public school systems in Georgia are employing technology in efforts to prevent school violence. Jon Gubbay is Lecturer in Sociology at the University of East Anglia. He has a wide range of research interests including the sociology of higher education curricula, housing satisfaction, research methods and class analysis. He is the author, with Rosemary Crompton, of Economy and Class Structure. Chris Middleton lectures in sociology at the University of Sheffield, UK. He has written widely on the sociological history of class and gender and, more recently, on teaching in higher education.He is the principal editor of The Sociology Teaching Handbook, a sourcebook produced collaboratively by and for university teachers with the support of the British Sociological Association.

Part I: Sociology: Engaging with the Social World:. 1. Discovering Sociology Personal Accounts: John Rex (University of Warwick). 2. Discovering Sociology Personal Accounts: Frances Heidensohn (Goldsmith's College, University of London). 3. Discovering Sociology Personal Accounts: William P. Kuvlesky (Texas A & M University). The Sociological Imagination:. 4. From Personal Troubles to Public Issues: Glenn Goodwin (Pitzer College). 5. From Public Issues to Private Troubles: Martin Shaw (University of Sussex). The Public Impact of Sociology:. 6. The Black Report and the Politics of Health in Britain: Nicolette Hart (University of California, Los Angeles). 7. The Public Impact of Sociology: Public Broadcasting and the Public Interest: Jerry Starr (West Virginia University). Part II: Sociology and its Traditions: The Distinctive Character of Sociology:. 8. Founders and Classics: Jonathan Turner (University of California, Riverside). 9. Everything From Crabs to Islam: On the Relation Between Sociologists and Their Intellectual Neighbours: David Lee (University of Essex). 10. Sociology as both Humanist and Scientific: Chet Ballard (Valdosta State University). Values and Diversity in Sociology: . 11. Conservatism and Sociology: The Problem of Social Order: Graham Kinloch (Florida State University). 12. Social Reform, Revolution and Sociology: Chris Middleton (University of Sheffield). 13. The Feminist Challenge: Anne Witz (University of Strathclyde). 14. Mr. Faust Meets Mr. Bateman: Mapping Postmodernity: Steve Papson (St. Lawrence University). 15. Putting Sociology in its Place: Joti Sekhon (Greensboro College). Focal Themes of Sociology:. 16. Social Divisions: Harriet Bradley (University of Bristol). 17. Power: Concepts and Research: Jon Gubbay (University of East Anglia). 18. Social Identity and the Life-Course: Paul Bellaby (University of East Anglia). The Language of Sociology:. 19. A Brief Guide to 'Difficult' Sociological Jargon and Some Resolutions: David Jary. Part III: Contemporary Sociological Engagement: Social Issues:. 20. Higher Education and Employment in A Post-Industrial Society: Phil Brown and Richard Scase (University of Kent). 21. Inequality and Affirmative Action: Sociological Perspectives: Charles Jaret (Georgia State University). 22. Up Against Nature: Sociological Thoughts on Sexuality: Stevi Jackson and Momin Rahman (University of Strathclyde). 23. Wither Welfare?: Alan Walker (University of Sheffield). 24. Mcdonaldization and Globalisation: George Ritzer (University of Maryland). 25. Green Futures?: Ted Benton (University of Essex). Sociology to Fire the Imagination:. 26. Leaving Home: Liz Kenyon (University of Newcastle). 27. Fashion: Steve Miles (University of Glasgow). 28. The Managed Heart: Lori Holyfield (University of Arkansas). 29. Crime and the American Dream: Randy Blazak (Portland State University). 30. Civil War: Michael Drake (University of East Anglia). 31. From Reproduction to Production: Dongsook Gills (University of Sunderland). Part IV: Doing Sociology: Study and Research: Active Reading:. 32. How to Read Sociological Texts: Mary Patrice Erdmans (University of North Carolina). 33. Deciphering Research Reports: Derek Layder (University of Leicester). 34. Demystifying Theory: How the Theories of Georg Simmel (and Others) Help us to Make Sense of Modern Life: Leonard Beeghley (University of Florida, Gainesville). Doing Sociological Research:. 35. How to Formulate a Student Research Project: Frank Lyons and Chas Wilson (University of Portsmouth). 36. Society as Text: Documents, Artefacts and Social Practices: Simon Cottle (Bath College of Higher Education). 37. The Researcher's Craft: Observing, Listening and Note-taking: Robert Burgess (University of Warwick). 38. Team Research: David Philips (University of North London). 39. Research Ethics: Roger Homan (University of Brighton). Computers in Sociology:. 40. Using Computers: Millsom Henry (University of Stirling). Part V: Directory and Resources:. 41. Biographical Dictionary: David Fisher (Nottingham Trent University). 42. Sources of Data and Information: Martin Scarrott (University of North London). 43. Major Journals in Sociology: Simon Speight (University of Glamorgan). 44. Conferences and Societies: Steve Morgan (University of the West of England). Part VI: What Next?: Advice on Employment and Further Study:. 45. Marketing your Sociological Training: Sheila Miles (University of Sheffield and London University). 46. Opportunities for Professional and Vocational Training: Sheila Cross (University College of Ripon and York St. John). 47. 'Sociologist - will Travel': Janice Eglin (University of East London). 48. Postgraduate Studies in Sociology: North America: David Johnson. 49. Postgraduate Studies in Sociology: UK: Chris Middleton (University of Sheffield). 50. A Note on Postgraduate Studies in Australasia. From Sociological Study to Employment:. 51. Viewpoints From Three Sociology Graduates: Jo Osborne, Meeta Patel and Jacquie Hammond. 52. A Sociology Graduate in Employment: Kay Freeland (Abraham Baldwin College). 53. Being a Sociologist Employed in Public Agencies: A Personal View: Tricia Lain White (Department of Employment). Postscript: Potentials and Predicaments: The Editors. Index.