Until recently little of Simmel's work was available in translation and certain key texts were unknown outside Germany. David Frisby, the eminent Simmel scholar, provides not only an introduction to the major sociological writings of this important figure, but also an argument for a reconsideration...

Until recently little of Simmel's work was available in translation and certain key texts were unknown outside Germany. David Frisby, the eminent Simmel scholar, provides not only an introduction to the major sociological writings of this important figure, but also an argument for a reconsideration of his work. The author outlines the cultural and historical context in which Simmel worked; reviews Simmel's most important writings; and examines his legacy to sociology by illuminating his links with Weber's theories and his influential relationship with Marxism. Simmel, a central figure in the development of modern sociology, and a contemporary of Weber and Durkheim, was one of the first to identify sociology as a separate discipline. His ideas influenced Weber, the Chicago School, and many later sociologists. His introduction of a number of basic concepts to sociology, such as exchange, interaction and differentiation, attest to his intellectual stature and the far-reaching significance of his work.

Introduction, by David N. Myers nbsp; The Cultural Significance of the Ghetto in Jewish History, by David B. Ruderman "The Blessing of Assimilation" Reconsidered: An Inquiry into Jewish Cultural Studies, by David N. Myers Redemption and Community: Reflections on Some European Jewish...

Introduction, by David N. Myers nbsp; The Cultural Significance of the Ghetto in Jewish History, by David B. Ruderman "The Blessing of Assimilation" Reconsidered: An Inquiry into Jewish Cultural Studies, by David N. Myers Redemption and Community: Reflections on Some European Jewish Intellectuals, 1900-1940, by Michael L. Morgan Difficult Liberty: The Basis of Community in Emmanuel Levinas, by William V. Rowe The Puzzling Persistence of Community: The Cases of Airmont and Kiryas Joel, by Nomi M. Stolzenberg Communal Rites: The Public Culture of American Jews, by Arthur Aryeh Goren Toward a History of Scranton Jewry, by Michael Brown nbsp; Contributors Index

Being Urban examines the dynamic interplay between what theoretical perceptions tell us about urban life and how ordinary people interpret and respond to the actual experience of living in cities. Major focuses are the primacy of social interaction for an understanding of urban life, and the...

Being Urban examines the dynamic interplay between what theoretical perceptions tell us about urban life and how ordinary people interpret and respond to the actual experience of living in cities. Major focuses are the primacy of social interaction for an understanding of urban life, and the strategies people use to create "community" in environments which, many theorists believe, promote only alienation and social disintegration. This new edition incorporates a strongly interdisciplinary perspective and includes new chapters on significant topics that have received little critical attention in the field.

Organized along the same lines as Three Sociological Traditions, Four Sociological Traditions is Randall Collins' updated guide to the development of modern sociology. Explaining in a brief, readable format the 4 main schools of sociological thought, this book represents a concise intellectual...

Organized along the same lines as Three Sociological Traditions, Four Sociological Traditions is Randall Collins' updated guide to the development of modern sociology. Explaining in a brief, readable format the 4 main schools of sociological thought, this book represents a concise intellectual history of the development of sociology. Widely adopted as either a main or supplemental text, Four Sociological Traditions presents clearly the conflict tradition of Marx and Weber, the ritual solidarity tradition of Durkheim, and the microinteractionist tradition of Mead, Blumer, and Garfinkel, and - new in this edition - the rational choice/utilitarian tradition. One of the most lively and exciting writers in sociology, Randall Collins introduces students to the roots of social theory, indicating areas where progress has been made in our understanding, as well as those areas where controversy still exists. Students will find Four Sociological Traditions a fresh, thorough, and thought-provoking examination.

In this time of great change in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, Karl Marx's relevance to modern social science may seem remote. However, this important study by Charles McKelvey shows just the opposite: Marx's concept of science can help social scientists gain a greater understanding of today's...

In this time of great change in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, Karl Marx's relevance to modern social science may seem remote. However, this important study by Charles McKelvey shows just the opposite: Marx's concept of science can help social scientists gain a greater understanding of today's world society. Western ethnocentrism has, McKelvey argues, isolated the Euro-American sociologist from a true picture of the Third World. Modern sociology must rethink itself, McKelvey maintains, in light of Marxian concepts, Immanuel Wallerstein's "world systems perspective," and the cognitional theory of philosopher Bernard Lonergan.