Written in a praised conversational tone with personal examples and bolstered with helpful pedagogical tools, Explorations in Classical Sociological Theory: Seeing the Social World, Second Edition introduces readers to the major classical theorists: Marx, Spencer, Durkheim, Weber, Simmel, Mead, Schutz, Martineau Gilman, Du Bois, and Parsons. These theorists were chosen for diversity as well as utility in introducing students to contemporary theory. Author Kenneth Allan focuses on the specific views of each theorist, rather than schools of thought, and highlights modernity and postmodernity to help readers understand how classical sociological theory applies to their lives. New and Proven Features An emphasis on teaching readers how to Sthink theoretically, offering the context of modernity as a meaningful framework A focus on the particular perspective of each theorist with its nuances intact A categorical scheme that helps students situate the theorists, compare their work, and ponder for themselves some of sociology "s big questions Extensive use of original source material from theorists " writings, displaying the power and poetry of theory SDefinition, SBig Idea, and SGenesis of a Perspective boxes throughout each chapter that discuss terms and concepts central to sociology A SBuilding Your Own Theory Toolbox section at the end of each chapter to encourage further exploration Other theory texts from Kenneth Allan The Social Lens: An Invitation to Social and Sociologial Theory Contemporary Social and Sociological Theory: Visualizing Social Worlds