The New American Cultural Sociology
The New American Cultural Sociology
This exciting new volume brings together seminal work by leading figures in what is emerging as a new and important intellectual tradition, relating them to other work in sociology and different disciplines. The book is divided into sections on Culture as Text and Code, The Production and Reception of Culture, and Culture in Action, each containing edited theoretical and empirical contributions that address the key debates in cultural sociology: the autonomy of culture, power and culture, structure and agency, and the concept of meaning.
- Ideal for teaching: wide-ranging and up-to-date collection of key works by leading figures in sociology of culture, with commentary
- Combines theoretical and empirical work (unlike competition)
- Defines 'The New American Cultural Sociology' and places it in the context of competing and complementary approaches
Reviews & endorsements
"The rise of cultural sociology has been one of the most important developments in recent American social science. Philip Smith's anthology does an admirable job of introducing the major lines of inquiry which have made cultural sociology flourish. His collection demonstrates both the analytic achievements and the breadth of the field." Craig Calhoun, New York University
"This is a much needed presentation of the best of American cultural sociology. Phil Smith enables us to appreciate the strong disciplinary character of American cultural sociology compared with its more interdisciplinary counterparts in Britain and Europe. European critics may not be appeased, but they will be better informed as a result." Kenneth A. Thompson, The Open University
"By bringing together papers that represent major issues in the field, Smith provides both a sophisticated introduction to the field for newcomers and a reference point for scholars working in the field. The book is a valuable resource for undergraduate and graduate courses in the sociology of culture." Contemporary Sociology
Product details
June 1998Hardback
9780521584159
298 pages
236 × 157 × 24 mm
0.59kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Notes on contributors
- Preface
- The new American cultural sociology: an introduction Philip Smith
- Part I. Culture as Text and Code: Introduction
- 1. Textuality and the postmodern turn in sociological theory Richard Harvey Brown
- 2. The computer as sacred and profane Jeffrey C. Alexander
- 3. AIDS and the discursive construction of homosexuality Steven Seidman
- 4. Fundamentalism and liberalism in public religious discourse Robert Wuthnow
- 5. Analytic and concrete forms of the autonomy of culture Anne Kane
- Part II. The Production and Reception of Culture: Introduction:
- 6. The reception of Derrida's work in France and America Michèle Lamont
- 7. Censorship, audiences and the Victorian nude Nicola Beisel
- 8. The devil, social change and Jacobean theatre Wendy Griswold
- 9. Victorian women writers and the prestige of the novel Gaye Tuchman and Nina Fortin
- 10. The ambiguous and contested meanings of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Robin Wagner-Pacifici and Barry Schwartz
- Part III. Culture in Action: Introduction:
- 11. Culture and social action Ann Swidler
- 12. Culture, structure, agency and transformation William H. Sewell Jr
- 13. Discourse, nuclear power and collective action William A. Gamson
- 14. Moral boundaries, leisure activities and justifying fun Gary Alan Fine
- 15. Honour and conflict management in corporate life Calvin Morrill
- 16. The role of cultural capital in school success Paul DiMaggio
- Index.
