Understanding Classical Sociology 2/e

Wes Sharrock has spent his entire career since 1965 in sociology until his retirement in 2017 at the University of Manchester. His main interests have been in the philosophy of social science and in ethnomethodology, and he has published widely on issues of sociological principle and empirical research in these areas. Wes has explored two central themes-the relevance of fieldwork and an understanding of ordinary language for an understanding of social practice and the respecification of social theory-pursuing them across a huge variety of settings, from ordinary scenes of everyday social life through to complex domains of practical action and reasoning in various academic and industrial work situations. An ethnomethodologist of international reputation, alongside his other contributions, Wes coedited with Mike Lynch the four-volume 2003 Sage collection Harold Garfinkel.

Introduction Sociology's Intellectual Character Conclusion Select Bibliography and Further Reading Karl Marx Biography and Social Background Early Years: The Critique of Hegel's Idealism Turning Hegel the Right Way Up The Critique of Political Economy The Partnership with Engels The Materialist Conception of History The Priority of Society The Material Basis of Social Organisation Economic Production and Social Organisation The Shaping of Consciousness The Sources of Social Change The Nature of Social Change Social Revolution The Economic Sources of Social Change Issues of Interpretation Changes in the Nature of Capitalism Conclusion: Marx's Legacy Select Bibliography and Further Reading Max Weber The Early Career Weber and Modern Capitalism The Organisation of Society Capitalism, Rationality and Social Change The Methodological Weber The Legacy Select Bibliography and Further Reading Emile Durkheim The Study of Social Action The Reality of Society The Unity of Society Autonomy and Constraint The Solidarity of Society Thought and Society The Diagnosis of Society The Aftermath Select Bibliography and Further Reading Conclusion Towards a Postmodern Marx? The Durkheimian Legacy Which Weber? Concluding Remarks