Skip to Content

Book Series

Key Ideas

This popular series covers the main concepts, issues, debates and controversies in sociology and the social sciences. The books are concise and informative yet lively. Written by leading authorities in the field, they give students access to 'new sociology' in manageable form.

New and Published Books

1-10 of 39 results in Key Ideas
  1. Risk

    Second Edition

    By Deborah Lupton

    Series: Key Ideas

    Risk (second edition) is a fully revised and expanded update of a highly-cited, influential and well-known book. It reviews the three major approaches to risk in social and cultural theory, devoting a chapter to each one. These approaches were first identified and described by Deborah Lupton in the...

    Published April 2nd 2013 by Routledge

  2. Sexuality

    2nd Edition

    By Jeffrey Weeks, Jeffrey Weeks

    Series: Key Ideas

    We are almost programmed into thinking of our sexuality as a wholly natural feature of life. But sexual relations are but one form of social relations, as Jeffrey Weeks makes clear in his book. Drawing on the analyses of Michel Foucault, amongst others, the book examines the social, moral and...

    Published January 10th 2013 by Routledge

  3. Happiness

    By Bent Greve

    Series: Key Ideas

    Although happiness is based upon individuals’ subjective perception of their own situation, understanding the concept of happiness is important for forming policies in modern societies. Taking into account discussions from disciplines across the social sciences, this book explores varying notions...

    Published November 8th 2011 by Routledge

  4. Experts

    The Knowledge and Power of Expertise

    By Nico Stehr, Reiner Grundmann

    Series: Key Ideas

    In this book, Stehr and Grundmann outline the theoretical significance and practical importance of the growing stratum of experts, counsellors and advisors in contemporary society, and claim that the growing spectrum of knowledge-based occupations has led to the pluralisation of expertise. As...

    Published February 22nd 2011 by Routledge

  5. Leisure

    By Tony Blackshaw

    Series: Key Ideas

    No single introductory book has until now captured the range of thought appropriate for scrutinizing the idea of leisure. Beginning with a discussion of expressions in classical thought, etymological definitions and key leisure studies concepts, Blackshaw suggests that the idea abounds with...

    Published February 11th 2010 by Routledge

  6. Community

    2nd edition, 2nd Edition

    By Gerard Delanty

    Series: Key Ideas

    The increasing individualism of modern Western society has been accompanied by an enduring nostalgia for the idea of community as a source of security and belonging and, in recent years, as an alternative to the state as a basis for politics.Gerard Delanty begins this stimulating introduction to...

    Published November 17th 2009 by Routledge

  7. Sexuality

    3rd Edition

    By Jeffrey Weeks

    Series: Key Ideas

    For over twenty years, Sexuality has provided a cutting edge introduction to debates about sexualities, gender, and intimate life. Previous editions included pioneering discussions of the historical shaping of sexuality, identity politics, the rise of fundamentalism, the social impact of AIDS, the...

    Published September 27th 2009 by Routledge

  8. Transnationalism

    By Steven Vertovec

    Series: Key Ideas

    'Transnationalism' refers to multiple ties and interactions linking people or institutions across the borders of nation-states. This book surveys the broader meanings of transnationalism within the study of globalization before concentrating on migrant transnational practices. Each chapter...

    Published March 26th 2009 by Routledge

  9. Nihilism

    By Bulent Diken

    Series: Key Ideas

    Most significant problems of contemporary life have their origins in nihilism and its paradoxical logic, which is simultaneously destructive to and constitutive of society. Yet, in social theory, nihilism is a surprisingly under-researched topic. This book develops a systematic account of nihilism...

    Published November 20th 2008 by Routledge

  10. Social Identity

    3rd Edition

    By Richard Jenkins

    Series: Key Ideas

    This third edition builds on the international success of previous editions, offering an easy access critical introduction to social science theories of identity, for advanced undergraduates and postgraduates. All of the previous chapters have been updated and extra material has been added where...

    Published June 16th 2008 by Routledge

Forthcoming Books

  1. Mass-Media
    By Peter Sorlin
    To Be Published September 29th 2013
  2. Community
    By Gerard Delanty
    To Be Published September 29th 2013
  3. Social Capital, 3rd Edition
    By John Field
    To Be Published December 30th 2013
  4. Super-diversity
    By Steven Vertovec
    To Be Published March 29th 2014
  5. Social Identity, 4th Edition
    By Richard Jenkins
    To Be Published March 30th 2014

Search for Book Series


All Book Series by Title


Energy - earthscan expert series sidebar ad pos 1
E Updates long banner postion 1
Lib Recommendation siee pos 3 - 
	Recommend key titles to your librarian today! Ensure that your library has access to all the latest publications.