Culture and Identity

by Warren Kidd

Published 20 November 2001
This text takes the themes of culture and identity and applies these to a range of crucial sociological debates. The book explores a variety of theoretical perspectives, from classical theories drawn from Marx, Weber and Durkheim to the modern and postmodern thinking of such theorists as Giddens, Beck, Foucault and Baudrillard. The second part of the book then examines a wide spectrum of important substantive areas including youth cultures, consumption, gender and sexuality, and ethnic and national identity, taking a practical and student-centred approach throughout.

The Family

by Liz Steel, Warren Kidd, and Anne Brown

Published 17 November 2000
Family structures have become increasingly diverse over recent decades. Examining contemporary theory alongside key terms and concepts, this new edition explores issues of intimacy, parenting, cohabitation and media representations. This book provides an in-depth look at the role of the family in society for all students of sociology.

Politics & Power

by Warren Kidd, Karen Legge, and Philippe Harari

Published 27 November 2009

Political organizations govern the way we live and have the power to make decisions on behalf of entire societies. But what political issues are important to our study of sociology and why? Do we really need to understand politics in order to fully understand society? And can individuals in society affect political change?

This student-focused book gives readers a clear introduction to the key ideas, themes and debates in political sociology. Combining accessible explanations with critical analysis, the book explores the ideas of classical and contemporary sociologists. It maps out how they have been developed, reinterpreted and evaluated in response to changes in society. In particular, the text also:

• defines, explores and assesses what is meant by 'power'
• assesses the modern political landscape of UK society and the ideologies of different political parties
• looks at voting patterns in the UK and asks what this tells us about society
• explores issues of globalization and nationalization and how they have shaped modern-day societies

As part of the Skills-Based Sociology series, Politics and Power is filled with a variety of tasks, activities and exam practice questions that encourage students to take an active role in their learning. Promoting critical thinking skills alongside development of knowledge, this book is the perfect starting-point for students learning about power and politics in society.