Making Sense Of Social Theory

Making Sense of Social Theory is unusual in treating sociology as a real science with a body of understandable, robust, and powerful theoretical insights. These theoretical insights are formalized in twelve simple axioms and twenty-three more detailed principles readers can use to predict (1) differences among people in how they think, feel, and respond, (b) changes in the structure, culture, and effectiveness of organizations, and (c) trends in societal values, conflict, and priorities.

Review: In the second edition of Making Sense of Social Theory, Charles Powers highlights the practical uses of social theory by expanding on real world, relatable examples that occur in everyday life. Students will find these examples accessible and ultimately learn a great deal about the applications of social theory in their own lives.

Powers succeeds here in making classical and contemporary social theory-often obtuse and complex-relatable, sensible, and teachable. -- Jonathan Isler, Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Illinois at Springfield In Making Sense of Social Theory, Charles Powers provides a comprehensive and transparent overview of classical sociological theory.

With its emphasis upon practical applications, this text will be of value to first-year college students and experienced hands alike. -- Jeff Sallaz, PhD, University of Arizona