This Very Short Introduction deals with the social life of language language in its sociocultural context The field ranges from micro-analyses to broadly-based policy & planning undertakings As such this book draws from sociolinguistics the sociology of language & psycholinguistics The relationship between language & identity
- whether of an individual or a group
- is a strong thread linking all the topics covered in the book The ordinary instrumental communicative aspects of language cannot be adequately understood without paying attention to the symbolic features that powerfully underpin feelings & attributions of groupness & belonging The book therefore focuses more on macro sociological areas than to fine-grained analyses of variation in linguistic features (though the latter are not ignored) Edwards explains the differential social evaluations of languages & dialects how names (and naming) are much more than simple designations why some languages come to dominate others as well as questions about the relationship between language & gender sexist language the language of poverty the intertwining of language & religion & politically driven language planning & policy These matters have always been timely & of great social interest The book demonstrates the connections & continuities that exist within the language arena in which we all participate & about which all of us have opinions preferences & prejudices This is the first short treatment that acquaints the educated non-specialist with the social life of language ABOUT THE SERIES The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly Our expert authors combine facts analysis perspective new ideas & enthusiasm to make interesting & challenging topics highly readable

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The authors argue in this book that social theory can usefully be conceived in terms of four broad paradigms based upon different sets of meta-theoretical assumptions with regard to the nature of social science & the nature of society The four paradigms
- Functionalist Interpretive Radical Humanist & Radical Structuralist
- derive from quite distinct intellectual traditions & present four mutually exclusive views of the social work Each stands in its own right & generates its own distinctive approach to the analysis of social life The authors provide extensive reviews of the four paradigms tracing the evolution & inter-relationships between the various sociological schools of thought within each They then proceed to relate theories of organisation to this wider background This book covers a great range of intellectual territory It makes a number of important contributions to our understanding of sociology & organisational analysis & will prove an invaluable guide to theorists researchers & students in a variety of social science disciplines It stands as a discourse in social theory drawing upon the general area of organisation studies
- industrial sociology organisation theory organisational psychology & industrial relations
- as a means of illustrating more general sociological themes In addition to reviewing & evaluating existing work it provides a framework for appraising future developments in the area of organisational analysis & suggests the form which some of these developments are likely to take



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Now in its eighth edition this continues to be the indispensable guide to understanding the world we make & the lives we lead Revised & updated throughout it remains unrivalled in its vibrant engaging & authoritative introduction to sociology The authors provide a commanding overview of recent global developments & new ideas in sociology Classic debates are also given careful coverage with even the most complex ideas explained in an engaging way Written in a fluent easy-to-follow style the book manages to be intellectually rigorous but still very accessible With a strong focus on interactive pedagogy it aims to engage & excite readers helping them to see the enduring value of thinking sociologically The eighth edition

Includes:: a solid foundation in the basics of sociology its purpose methodology & theories; up-to-the-minute overviews of key topics in social life from gender personal life & poverty to globalization the media & politics; stimulating examples of what sociology has to say about key issues in our contemporary world such as growing inequality climate change & the rise of terrorism; a strong focus on global sociology & the ways that digital technologies are radically transforming our world; quality pedagogical features such as Classic Studies' & Global Society' boxes & Thinking Critically' reflection points as well as end-of-chapter activities inviting readers to engage with popular culture & original research articles to gather sociological insights The eighth edition sets the standard for introductory sociology Complete with extensive supporting resources at wwwpolitybookscomgiddens it is the ideal teaching text for first-year university & college courses & will help to inspire a new generation of sociologists

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SOCIOLOGY THE ESSENTIALS Ninth Edition uses the theme of debunking myths to look behind the facades of everyday life encourage you to question common assumptions & help you better understand how society is constructed & sustained This thorough yet streamlined text provides exceptional coverage of diversity including social factors such as age religion sexual orientation & region of residence in addition to race ethnicity class & gender Updated with coverage of the latest findings trends & themes this new edition's reader-friendly presentation teaches you the concepts methods & research that will sharpen your "sociological imagination" & help you view the world from a different perspective ...

Sociological perspectives & their application to social work are an inherent part of the QAA benchmark statements in the social work degree In addition graduates must understand how sociological perspectives can be used to dissect societal & structural influences on human behaviour at individual group & community levels This fully-revised second edition

Includes:: a new chapter on social class & welfare & is mapped to the new Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Work

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The essential revision guide for A-level Sociology from trusted & best-selling author Ken Browne Together with Sociology for AQA Revision Guide 1 this indispensable book provides everything you need to revise for the exams with a clear topic-by-topic layout to recap key theories & central ideas The revision guide maps perfectly onto Ken Browne Jonathan Blundell & Pamela Law's Sociology for AQA Volume 2 with each topic cross-referenced to the main textbook so you can revisit any sections you need to The book

Includes:: a guide to exam questions & how to answer them with sample worked answers showing how to achieve top marks All

Specification options are covered with exam tips throughout the book With this revision guide to take you through the exam & Sociology for AQA Volume 2 to develop your sociological imagination Ken Browne provides the complete resource for success in sociology



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An AQA-approved resource Sociology for AQA Volume 1 is the new edition of Ken Browne's invaluable & widely used textbook designed for AQA's new Sociology AS level & Year 1 A level (for first teaching from September 2015) The book combines sociological rigour & accessibility matching the AQA specifications & using these as a springboard to develop readers' sociological skills & understanding The fifth edition

Includes:: up-to-date discussions of a wide range of recent sociological data & debates practice questions on every

Specification topic a special chapter on the compulsory Education with Methods in Context' requirement of the specifications full-colour photographs diagrams & cartoons to bring ideas to life & fire students' imaginations a dedicated website at wwwpolitybookscombrowne with resources for teachers & additional material designed to help students revise or research themes in the book Key sociological terms are systematically highlighted throughout the text & are included in a comprehensive glossary with questions & activities incorporated throughout to develop & test students' understanding further Pitched at the right level for the new AQA Sociology specifications the book provides the tools necessary to help students whatever their needs interests & abilities Together with the accompanying Sociology for AQA Volume 2 this is an invaluable resource for teaching & studying sociology



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An AQA-approved resource Sociology for AQA Volume 2 is the new edition of Ken Browne Jonathan Blundell & Pamela Law's widely used textbook designed for the second year of AQA's new Sociology A level (for first teaching from September 2015) The book's combination of sociological rigour & accessibility remains one of its hallmarks As always the book matches the AQA

Specification using this as a springboard to develop readers' sociological skills & understanding The third edition

Includes:: up-to-date discussions of a wide range of recent sociological data & debates practice questions on every

Specification item a dedicated chapter on all the

Specification ' Topics in Sociology' full-colour photographs diagrams & cartoons to bring ideas to life & fire students' imaginations a dedicated website at wwwpolitybookscombrowne with resources for teachers & additional material designed to help students revise or research themes in the book Key sociological terms are systematically highlighted throughout the text & are included in a thorough glossary with thoughtful questions & activities at important points within the chapters to develop & test students' understanding further Pitched at the right level for the new AQA Sociology

Specification the book provides the tools necessary to help students & encourage them to take their study of Sociology further Together with the accompanying Sociology for AQA Volume 1 this is an invaluable resource for studying & teaching sociology









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This text has been the market leader for more than 40 years It continues its popularity due to its thorough updating of data facts & figures while retaining the basic focus on solid research findings through a sociological point of view Designed to appeal to today's students the 12th edition examines topics with relevance for today
- cultural & social reactions to deviance; the growing interest in white-collar & corporate crime; & the importance of the Internet & computer communications in changing views on deviance in modern life
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This comprehensive & bestselling reader examines the most pressing topics in sociology & education while exposing students to examples of sociological research in schools Drawing from classic & contemporary scholarship noted sociologist Alan R Sadovnik with Ryan W Coughlan have chosen readings that examine current issues & reflect diverse theoretical approaches to studying the effects of schooling & society The third edition provides students with nine new readings from some of the best theorists & researchers in education including Sean F Reardon Ann Owens Prudence L Carter & Pedro A Noguera Through full rather than excerpted primary source readings students have the opportunity to read sociological research as it is written & engage in critical analyses of readings in their entirety This edition features a greater focus on issues of equality & accessibility in schooling for minority students & those with learning disabilities while an all-new Part IV offers a selection of articles on the shifting social & political factors which have influenced the development of education policy & reform within the last six years Including comprehensive section introductions questions for reflection & discussion & suggested readings Sociology of Education will stimulate student thinking about the important roles that schools play in contemporary society & their ability to solve fundamental social economic & political problems ...