Readings in Social Theory

Rating:
Summary: Farganis is one of the most rigorous minds in social theory
Review: Farganis begin not only by covering the standard intellectual history aspects of major social thinkers (e.g. biography, afflications, influences) but also by looking at the hard questions that come from the philosophic assumptions and lineage of each thinker. His coverage, selections, and treatment of each author is certainlty worthy of a high-powered philosophy seminar, but his work also digs into the practical, historic, and political implications of thinker. It is rumored that Farganis will offer more of his own thoughts on society and social theory in the comming volume, and I personally and curious and excited to find where he places himself.

Rating:
Summary: A necessity for any student of American society
Review: In this comprehensive textbook/reader, Farganis is able to cover a remarkable amount of ground with little fat to trim. While primarily aimed toward a scholarly audience, this is a book that can be illuminating for more casual readers as well. Farganis has a clear mastery of his subject matter, and demonstrates this in two ways. First he captures the socio-historical setting and posits the role of a given thinker; next, he digs a bit deeper by allowing the authors/thinkers to speak for themselves. This fusion of approaches yields a relative gem in its field. Look for Farganis' next work to offer a bit more contemporary theory, this time as propsed by the author himself

Rating:
Summary: A decent place to start
Review: This book is a decent collection of Sociological material. However, it is lacking in materials (although it has some) from Radical Feminists, Post Modernists, and theorists that do not share the Euro-Centric bias. I understand that most of the individuals that influenced what Sociology is today, are mostly white, Euro-centric, and male. That is what is precisely wrong with most of what I disagree with, in the discipline of Sociology (my perspective). Being a Professor, I would like to see a broad worldview from a theory textbook. Yes, I teach Marx, Weber, and even Spencer. However, I would like a book that included Freire, Collins, Benjamin, and Baudrillard as well as other individuals from other places in the world. I understand there are books that have these authors, but I think this book is one of the better books in this category, and is fairly easy for students to follow. I think the pieces Farganis picks are great. I would just like to see a thicker book with a few more authors and a few more perspectives. I guess that is what a course pack is for. Still this is a good book for those wanting to read the original material of a particular theorist.

Rating:
Summary: A decent place to start
Review: This book is a decent collection of Sociological material. However, it is lacking in materials (although it has some) from Radical Feminists, Post Modernists, and theorists that do not share the Euro-Centric bias. I understand that most of the individuals that influenced what Sociology is today, are mostly white, Euro-centric, and male. That is what is precisely wrong with most of what I disagree with, in the discipline of Sociology (my perspective). Being a Professor, I would like to see a broad worldview from a theory textbook. Yes, I teach Marx, Weber, and even Spencer. However, I would like a book that included Freire, Collins, Benjamin, and Baudrillard as well as other individuals from other places in the world. I understand there are books that have these authors, but I think this book is one of the better books in this category, and is fairly easy for students to follow. I think the pieces Farganis picks are great. I would just like to see a thicker book with a few more authors and a few more perspectives. I guess that is what a course pack is for. Still this is a good book for those wanting to read the original material of a particular theorist.