This revised and updated edition of the highly successful sociology textbook, Contemporary Sociology, continues to throw light on key issues and concerns of present-day society. M. Francis Abraham's vast experience and extensive research cuts across conventional themes and geographical boundaries to include:

-Theoretical perspectives and research methods
-Key concepts and theories
-Relevant issues in education, economy, politics, population, stratification, minorities, urbanization, and environment
-Social institutions, organizations, and recent trends of change
-Examples drawn from numerous cultural contexts

This second edition introduces the following new concepts in a comparative perspective:
-Theoretical perspectives in a global age
-Crystallization of social interaction
-Race, gender, and stratification
-New social movements
-Gender and deviance
-Women's movements and caste-oriented movement

The crucial topics of modern-day sociology such as gender, race, lifestyle changes, ecological issues, and domestic violence are explained separately, distinguishing the book from general sociology textbooks.

Table of Contents:
List of Tables and Figures Acknowledgements Note for Teachers and Students I THE FIELD OF SOCIOLOGY 1 DEFINING SOCIOLOGY What is Sociology? Sociology and Other Social Sciences The Sociological Perspective The Founding Fathers of Sociology Auguste Comte • Karl Marx • Herbert Spencer • Émile Durkheim • Max Weber Contemporary Sociology 2 THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES IN SOCIOLOGY What is Sociological Theory? Types of Sociological Theory Speculative Theories vs. Grounded Theories • Grand Theories vs. Miniature Theories • Macro Theories vs. Micro Theories Functions of Sociological Theory Mainline Theories in Sociology Evolutionary Theory • Structural-functionalism • Conflict Theory • The Frankfurt School and Critical Theory • Symbolic Interactionism• Exchange Theory Choosing and Using Sociological Theory Theoretical Perspectives in a Global Age 3 METHODS OF RESEARCH IN SOCIOLOGY The Scientific Approach Basic Principles Steps in the Research Process Selection of the Topic • Review of Literature • Formulation of Hypotheses • Selection of Research Design • Collection of Data • Analysis of Data • Writing the Report and Sharing the Results Methods of Research Surveys• Experiments • Observational Studies: Participant and Non-participant Observation • Analysis of Secondary Data Quantitative Vs. Qualitative Research Issues in Sociological Research II THE FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIETY 4 CULTURE The Meaning of Culture Components of Culture Beliefs • Values • Language • Norms • Technology Cultural Orientation Cultural Diversity Cultural Change Towards a Global Culture? 5 SOCIALIZATION Heredity and Environment The Results of Deprived Socialization Theories of Socialization Sociological Theories • Psychological Theories Agents of Socialization The Family • Peer Groups • The School • Mass Media • Adult Socialization Resocialization Total Institutions Socialization by Caste, Religion, and Gender 6 SOCIAL INTERACTION Verbal and Non-verbal Communication Crystallization of Social Action Nature of Social Interaction Theories of Social Interaction Dramaturgical Approach • Ethnomethodology The Structure of Social Interaction Status• Role Forms of Social Interaction Cooperation • Competition • Conflict • Accommodation • Exchange Virtual Networking 7 TYPES OF SOCIETIES AND GROUPS Evolution of Societies Hunting and Gathering Societies • Horticultural Societies • Pastoral Societies • Agrarian Societies • Industrial and Post-industrial Societies Three Typologies Mechanical and Organic Solidarity: Émile Durkheim • Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft: Ferdinand Tonnies • Folk and Urban Societies: Robert Redfield Types of Social Groups Aggregate • Societal Group • Social Group • Associational Group • Primary and Secondary Groups • In-groups and Out-groups • Reference Groups • Electronic Communities Formal Organizations and Bureaucracy Size and Group Dynamics Social Organization 8 DEVIANCE AND SOCIAL CONTROL What is Deviance? The Normality of Crime: Durkheim Consequences of Deviance Theories of Deviant Behaviour Biological Theories • Psychological Theories • Sociological Theories • Anomie Theory • Differential Association Theory • Labelling Theory • Conflict Theory Gender and Deviance Crime and Criminals Social Control Informal Social Control • Formal Social Control III SOCIAL INEQUALITY 9 SOCIAL STRATIFICATION Three Systems of Stratification The Estate System • The Caste System • The Class System Race, Gender, and Stratification Dimensions of Social Stratification Theories of Stratification Functional Theory • Conflict theory Global Systems of Stratification Caste and Class in India Lifestyles and Life-chances Social Mobility 10 MINORITIES AND WEAKER SECTIONS Prejudice and Discrimination Patterns of Majority-Minority Relations Minority Responses Minority Groups in India Persons with Disabilities • The Aged • Women as a Minority • Women in India • Dalits and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) • Tribes in India Minority by Sexual Orientation IV SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS 11 THE FAMILY Types of Families Marriage Patterns Functions of the Family The Future of Marriage and Family Marriage and Family in India Global Trends in Marriage and Family Domestic Violence 12 THE POLITICAL ECONOMY State and Government Functions of the State Social Control • Defence • Welfare Types of States Autocracy • Totalitarianism • Democracy Types of Economy Capitalism • Socialism • Mixed Economy Democratic Socialism Power and Authority Theories of Power in Societies The Power Elite Model • The Pluralist Model The Indian Political Scene Globalization and Corporate Capitalism 13 EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM Functions of Education Socialization • Cultural Transmission • Social Placement • Innovation • Social Integration • Critical Thinking Inequality in Education Education and the UN Millennium Development Goals Education in India 14 RELIGION Religions among the 'Primitive' People Elements of Religion Some Related Concepts Magic • Sect • Cult Contemporary Sociological Perspectives on Religion Key Sociological Theories on Religion The Functionalist Perspective • The Conflict Perspective Durkheim's Theory of Religion Recent Trends in Religion Secularization • Resacralization • Fundamentalism Religion in India V SOCIAL CHANGE 15 POPULATION AND URBANIZATION The Basic Concepts Fertility • Mortality• Migration Theoretical Perspectives Malthusian Theory of Population • Demographic Transition Theory Population Explosion: Causes and Consequences A Note on Population in India Urbanization Theoretical Perspectives Georg Simmel: Metropolis and Mental Life • Louis Wirth: Urbanism as a Way of Life Urbanization in India 16 COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOUR AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS Theories of Collective Behaviour Contagion Theory • Emergent Norm Theory • Convergence Theory • Value-added Theory Forms of Collective Behaviour Crowds Dispersed Collective Behaviour Rumour • Fads and Fashions Social Movements Theories of Social Movements Relative Deprivation Theory • Resource Mobilization Theory • Political Opportunity/Political Process Theory New Social Movements The Life-cycle of Social Movements Social Movements in India Environmental Movements • Women's Movements • Caste-oriented Movements 17 SOCIAL CHANGE, ENVIRONMENT, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Theories of Social Change Evolutionary Theory • Functional Theory • Conflict Theory Sources of Social Change Physical Environment • Technology • Cultural Contacts and Diffusion • Values and Ideology The Process of Social Change Social Change in India Environment Sustainable Development Further Readings Index About the Author