Sociology: A Very Short Introduction

Purchased at Heffer's two days before first class to "get situtated" in the field of Sociology. A good overall introduction, if a little upseting (called "culture studies" and "media studies" "cancers... at the fringe of sociology").

Overview

 * As a "social science" sociology is between the literary traditions of humanistic work and thought, and the procedural, empirical data analysis of the sciences.
 * Sociology wants to study patterns and behaviors among human beings through a variety of techniques (ethnography, surveys, etc.)
 * Sociology must work to be scientific in that it qualifies and evidences its claims
 * Sociology must be wary, however, of the fact that as "reflexive actors" human beings are not deterministic.
 * Moreover, sociologists are challenged by themselves being human, and by analyzing a changing subject.

Structure

 * 1) The Status of Sociology
 * 2) Social Constructions
 * 3) Causes and Consequences
 * 4) The Modern World
 * 5) Impostors (this is where it got divisive)