Ruth’s Sociology Resources Blog

These are books that I like to have around - to check my understanding or find out more about a topic, some have handy exercises. I would also always have a Sociology dictionary (lots to choose from), an English dictionary and a Thesaurus on my shelves.

Classical Social Theory: An Introduction to the Thought of Marx, Weber, Durkheim and Simmel by Ian Craib (1992)
Suitable for curious A-level students, Undergraduates, Postgraduates and beyond. This is a very useful book for anyone trying to get grips with the work of Marx, Weber, Durkheim or Simmel. Craib takes you through the lives and theories of each in an accessible way, making the ideas easy to grasp and also allowing comparison between the theorists. Although it is suitable for those looking for an ontroductory text, the complexity of the theories is acknowledged and dealt with in a comprehensible way. It’s a book that I still turn to now to make sure that I’m not talking rubbish about the major theorists!

How to Do Social Research (Sociology in Action)by Dunsmuir & Williams (1991)
Part of the Sociology in Action series which is in desperate need of updating, this book remains useful because of the way in which it uses detailed examples of different research methods, taken from high-profile pieces of research such as Oakley’s study of motherhood. The book encourages the reader to ask searching questions about advantages and disadvantages of specific methods including the consideration of ethics. Probably most useful at A-level.

Education in a Post Welfare Society(2nd Ed) by Sally Tomlinson (2005)
Brilliant for anyone trying to work out what has happened or is happening in education in terms of policy and issues. This book provides detailed but succinct explanations and descriptions to bring the reader up to date as well as pointing to relevant further reading. Includes chapters on market forces, private schooling, gender, ethnicity and class as well as others. Suitable for undergraduates, postgraduates and beyond.

Classical and Modern Social Theory Andersen & Kaspersen (2000)
Although definitely not a light read, this edited book is excellent for anyone trying to work out the complexities of different strands of social theory. It covers key classical and modern social theorists, from Marx to Giddens with useful summaries and life histories to put theorists and theories into perspective as well as clear explanations of key theoretical concepts.

Sociological Research Methods in Context Devine & Heath (1999)
Taking studies from different areas of sociology to illustrate different research methods, this book provides a useful and fairly detailed analysis of 8 studies - their methodologies, findings, strengths and weaknesses. Useful at either undergraduate or A-level.

Understanding Deviance: A Guide to the Sociology of Crime and Rule Breaking Downes & Rock
Now into its 4th edition, this book is invaluable to anyone studying the sociology of crime and deviance as it gives comprehensible but detailed outlines of the different theoretical perspectives on crime and deviance as well as weighing up their pros and cons (not always in a totally unbiased manner).

Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process(3rd Edition) Tim May
A wonderful clear guide to different methods and perspectives in social research. Endlessly useful for making sure that you’ve understood the key points or for quick reference in a moment of need. Having said that, it is a basic guide and does not cover all methodological possibilities or considerations - by final year undergraduate or postgraduate you should be using other sources too!

Social Research Methods(2nd Ed) Bryman (2004)
This seems to be the standard methods textbook for social research students, but I also find it useful to check my understanding before teaching at a lower level. It covers a wide range of methods in detail and explains concepts and considerations clearly, making it readable rather than confusing or condescending. Very up-to-date, this book considers topics such as the use of computers in data analysis and research as well as more traditional methods. It also points to further reading for anyone needing to examine methods and perspectives in greater detail.

The Skills-Based Sociology series published by Palgrave MacMillan is a brilliant set of books. Aimed at teachers and students of A-level Sociology each addresses a different topic in-depth. The text is written in an accessible but academic way, with plenty of detail and blocks of text are interspersed with questions designed to provoke thought and discussion as well as assess understanding. The books do not specifically follow any of the A-level specifications, but rather cover core issues in each area, helping students to make links and think more widely. This is the one set of ‘non-text-books’ that I can regularly persuade my students to make good use of, or that they pick up and use of their own accord. I would recommend that any school/college library has a set of these, although one or two are starting to show their age and could do with updated editions. They are available on the following topics:

The Family (Skills-based Sociology)

Health and Illness (Skills-based Sociology)

Wealth, Poverty and Welfare (Skills-based Sociology)

Theory and Method (Skills-based Sociology)

Mass Media (Skills-based Sociology)

Crime and Deviance (Skills-based Sociology)

Education and Training (Skills-based Sociology)

Culture and Identity (Skills-based Sociology)

Religion (Skills-based Sociology)

Political Sociology (Skills-based Sociology)

If there are others that I have missed and that you have found useful please let me know.

A-Z Sociology Workbook (Complete A-Z) - one of the Complete A-Z series, this has a series of exercises on different areas of sociology arranged, as the name implies, by alphabetical order. There are some very useful exercises in here, along with some less useful ones! Pick with care and it can make life a lot easier by providing quick assessment or review materials. Answers are provided at the back of the book, however, I have found at least one wrong answer - so do check them carefully before ploughing blindly onwards!