Learn how to think like a sociologist with this short, up-to-date and accessible introduction to studying A Level Sociology or starting Sociology at university. Find out how sociology works and what it can do, as well as where it can take you. Get a headstart on your A-Level Sociology topics and understand how to be an excellent sociologist. Packed with inspiring and current examples, this fascinating and practical guide introduces the capacity and challenge, insights and parameters of sociology through key ideas and readings that relate to the current A-Level Sociology specifications, foundation access courses and the world around us. Hugely readable it will appeal to anyone interested in learning more about sociology. By becoming a sociologist, you will learn to be careful, considered, and creative, analytical, and rigorous, and reflexive and ethical. These dispositions will prepare you for life, education, and work. Introduction: Why be a sociologist? Chapter 1: Be Imaginative: Making connections between the personal and the public Chapter 2: Be Conceptual: Putting on sociological glasses Chapter 3: Be Rigorous: Exploring the sociological toolkit Chapter 4: Be Knowledgeable: Asking questions and finding answers Chapter 5: Be Reflexive: Turning the sociological imagination onto sociology itself Chapter 6: Be Transformative: Bringing about change in yourself and others An Ending: A sociology of hope and reasons to be optimistic Review: * Excellent questioning and prompts for discussion with case studies to illustrate how to think sociologically. This will help both teachers and their students to generate high quality classroom conversations. * Detailed discussion of sociological theory, and I like the way each theory is applied to a specific issue to show students the application of theoretical and conceptual differences. * The discussion of the construction of gender is very good and this can be well linked to English Language courses, for example. Dr Simon Henderson, Head of History and Sixth Form, Teeside School and Sixth Form This book is fantastic. It's the perfect introduction to sociology. It carefully breaks down the elements of sociology and why they are important, whilst dispelling the rumours that sociology is common sense. The complexity of sociology can sometimes be taken for granted and this book acknowledges the significance of the discipline. Chapter 2 can easily be used as assigned or wider reading for students before they study sociological theories; it allows students to access and understand fundamental sociological knowledge that can often be misunderstood in the classroom. I would highly recommend this book to my students and believe it should be a staple within a social science classroom. Annalisea Whyte, Sociology teacher Author Biography: Authors Dr Sarah Cant and Dr Jennifer Hardes teach and research at Canterbury Christ Church University. They are working to enhance school-university collaboration both through a local teacher network and the British Sociological Association.
