ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses a wide range of sociological theories to extend students’ knowledge of the multiple dimensions of contemporary sociological concepts and ideas. Sociologists develop theories to make sense of and address current social issues. As society changes, some theories become less relevant, others are refined, and new theoretical constructs are developed. The range in this chapter is extensive: it includes among others George Herbert Mead, Anthony Giddens, Sylvia Walby, Judy Wajcman, Michel Foucault, and Raewyn Connell. Despite this diversity of theories, they share the exploration of ‘the social’ and demonstrate the evolution of ideas regarding social life. These competing perspectives should be regarded as alternative frameworks through which to analyse the complexity of the social world and allow students to relate them to their own lives and relationships.
