"A glossary of key concepts was just the sort of thing I needed when I was a sociology student. Peter Braham has written a lively, comprehensive guide to the most important concepts in our discipline. It will become an essential student resource."- David Silverman, Goldsmiths and Kings College, University of London "A triumphant tour de force... will be a useful, even essential tool for students and faculty. It is actually fascinating reading even for non-sociologists since these ideas impact all of us all the time."- Anthony Synnott, Concordia University in Montreal"A crisp and comprehensive guide to the discipline. The thirty-eight entries, covering history, substance and evaluation, thereby describe both conventional and new topics that define the syllabus of modern sociology. A valuable guide to both teachers and students."- Bryan S. Turner, Presidential Professor of Sociology, CUNY USA Sociology consists of a myriad of frequently confusing concepts. Key Concepts in Sociology provides a comprehensive, lively and clearly-written guide to the most important concepts in the subject. It includes both what might be regarded as classic sociological concepts, such as class, bureaucracy and community, as well as subjects that have become increasingly prominent in recent times, such as celebrity, risk and the body.

Each of the thirty-eight substantive entries:

defines the conceptprovides a clear and compelling narrativeclarifies the main debates, perspectives and disagreementsgives advice on further reading

Key Concepts in Sociology should be the first choice for sociology students at all levels of learning.

Introduction - Peter BrahamAlienationAnomieBureaucracyCapitalismCelebrityCitizenshipClassCommunityConsumptionCultureDevelopmentDevianceDiscourseDivision of LabourEconomic SociologyEqualityEveryday LifeFamilyFeminismGenderGlobalizationIdentityIdeologyModernity and PostmodernityOrientalismPositivismPublic SociologyQualitative and Quantitative ResearchRaceRational ChoiceRiskSocial ExclusionSocial JusticeSocial MobilitySocial MovementsSocial StratificationSocietyThe Body