The Science of Society (RLE Social Theory)

An Introduction to Sociology

Stephen Frederick Cotgrove

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781138784048
• eBook ISBN: 9781000155822
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Rural Sociology
• Index: Social Sciences

Two main criteria have guided the selection and presentation of the material for this text-book. Firstly, there is the claim that sociology is a science. Throughout, the emphasis has been on presenting sociological perspectives rather than conveying a mass of factual information. Science is essentially analytical. And sociology, if it is to justify its claim to be a science, must be more than simply 'political arithmetic', counting heads and providing demographic data for governments. Secondly, science, like other intellectual activities, can be exciting. The emphasis throughout is on the sociological study of industrial society, with particular reference to modern England. After an introductory discussion of sociological perspectives, there are chapters on each of the major sub-systems of society; the family, the educational system, the economy, the political system and belief systems. The book ends with three chapters on major social processes: social differentiation and stratification, organization, and finally, social change, including a discussion of deviancy and disorganization.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Title Page-1
• Copyright Page-1
• Preface
• Contents
• 1. The Science of Society
• The Social System
• Social Processes
• Indexes