Written by award-winning scholar Jonathan Turner, Theoretical Sociology: 1830 to the Present covers new and emerging aspects of sociological theory and examines the significant contributions of both modern and founding theorists. Nine sections present detailed analyses of key theories and paradigms, including functionalism, evolutionary theory, conflict theory, critical theory, exchange theory, interactionist theory, and structuralism. Despite the in-depth discussions of theorists and their contributions to the field, the text is concise and focused, a perfect resource for readers seeking to develop a deeper understanding of contemporary and classical sociological theory.

Theoretical Sociology
The Classical Period, 1830-1935
August Comte and The Emergence of Sociology
Herbert Spencer
Karl Marx
The Max Weber
Georg Simmel
Emile Durkheim
George Herbert Mead
The Classical Roots of Contemporary Theorizing
The Modern Era
Functional Theorizing
General Systems Theorizing
Ecological Theorizing
Evolutionary Theorizing
Conflict Theorizing
Exchange Theorizing
Symbolic Interactionist Theorizing
Role and Status Theorizing
Dramaturgical Theorizing
Phenomenological and Ethnomethodological Theorizing
Structuralist Theorizing (include structuration theory, network theory)
Cultural Theorizing
Postmodern Theorizing
European Critical Theorizing
American-style Critical Theorizing
The State of Sociological Theory
Elements of Scientific Theorizing
Overcoming Roadblocks to Cumulative
Explanatory Theory in Sociology

Jonathan H. Turner (PhD, Cornell University) is Distinguished Professor of sociology at the University of California at Riverside and University Professor for the University of California. The leading authority on sociological theory, Dr. Turner is the author of 38 influential books, which have been published in twelve different languages, as well as the author of many research articles in numerous journals and books.