In the sixth edition of Contested Knowledge, social theorist Steven Seidman presents the latest topics in social theory and addresses the current shift of 'universalist theorists' to networks of clustered debates.
Social Postmodernism defends a postmodern perspective anchored in the politics of the new social movements. The volume preserves the focus on the politics of the body, race, gender, and sexuality as elaborated in postmodern approaches. But these essays push postmodern analysis in a particular direction: toward a social postmodernism which integrates the micro-social concerns of the new social movements with an institutional and cultural analysis in the service of a transformative political vision.
This significant contribution to social theory explores the complexities of difference, focusing on critical issues such as gender, race, and sexuality. The leading scholar delves into how these elements shape identities and societal structures, offering insightful analysis and perspectives that challenge conventional understandings. The work aims to deepen the discourse around these vital topics, making it essential reading for those interested in contemporary social issues and theories.
The book explores the evolving concept of being "out" in society, highlighting how perceptions of sexual identity are changing. It delves into the lingering heterosexual biases that differentiate mere tolerance from true equality, providing a nuanced analysis of contemporary attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals. Through its engaging narrative, it challenges readers to reconsider the implications of these societal shifts and the ongoing struggle for genuine acceptance.
This comprehensive reader will give undergraduate students a structured introduction to the writers and works which have shaped the exciting and yet daunting field of social theory. Throughout the text, key figures are placed in debate with each other and the editorial introductions give an orienting overview of the main points at stake and the areas of agreement and disagreement between the protagonists. The first section sets out some of the main schools of thought, including Habermas and Honneth on New Critical Theory, Bourdieu and Luhmann on Institutional Structuralism and Jameson and Hall on Cultural Studies. Thereafter the reader becomes issues based, looking at: * Justice and Truth * Nationalism, Multiculturalism, Globalisation * gender, sexuality, race, post-coloniality The New SocialTheory Readeris an essential companion for students who will not just use it on their theory course but return to it again and again for theoretical foundations for substantive subjects and issues.
Contemporary Debates
This volume brings together the major statements by the leading contemporary scholars of cultural analysis on the relation between culture and society. Part One surveys the range of current analytical debate over culture, focusing on the relationship of culture to social structure and power. While individual contributions differ in defining the nature of culture and its relation to society, they are in agreement in assessing the relative autonomy of culture and the centrality of symbolic analysis. Part Two turns to substantive debates, including those over the role of religion, secular ideology, and mass culture and brings to light disputes about the meaning of modernity. The book testifies to the remarkable development in the past two decades of a cultural paradigm for social and political analysis.
Gender Identity in a Time of Uncertainty
Focusing on the complexities of masculinity, this book critiques simplistic stereotypes surrounding men, particularly in the context of contemporary American society. It employs psychoanalytic perspectives to explore the multifaceted nature of men's lives, emphasizing that their experiences and identities are as nuanced and intricate as those of women. This examination contributes to the ongoing debate about gender, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of men's roles and challenges in today's world.