Making Sense of Social Theory: A Practical Introduction

Book Details

• Author: Charles H. Powers

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

• Language: English

• Edition: 2nd

• ISBN: 9781442201187

• Pages: 280

• Cover: Hardcover

• Release Date: 16 January 2010

• Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches

About the Book

Making Sense of Social Theory is a comprehensive guide for students and scholars seeking to understand sociological theory within the framework of scientific inquiry. Charles H. Powers presents sociology not as abstract ideology, but as a genuine science capable of explaining real-world phenomena through predictive principles and analytical models.

This second edition expands on the classical contributions of theorists like Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, Max Weber, and George Herbert Mead. It also explores major sociological paradigms—including exchange theory, symbolic interactionism, conflict theory, and structural-functionalism—highlighting their assumptions, applications, and impact on understanding social change and everyday interactions.

By using relatable, real-world examples, Powers makes complex theoretical concepts more accessible to students, instructors, and practitioners alike. This book is especially beneficial for undergraduate students, educators, and social science professionals aiming to integrate theory with practice in meaningful ways.

About the Author

Charles H. Powers is a professor of sociology at Santa Clara University. With teaching experience at Indiana University and Talladega College, Powers has authored and coauthored several works including Vilfredo Pareto, Post-Industrial Lives, and The Emergence of Sociological Theory. He has served as coeditor for the journal Sociological Perspectives and focuses extensively on social change and organizational innovation.