Institutions and the Person
Author | : Howard Saul Becker |
Publisher | : Transaction Publishers |
Total Pages | : 372 |
Release | : 2009-07-01 |
ISBN-10 | : 0202362752 |
ISBN-13 | : 9780202362755 |
Rating | : 4/5 (52 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: Everett C. Hughes had a great impact on the fi eld of sociologyas a whole and on an entire generation of sociologists.Some of Hughes' former students and colleagues honorhim in this book. Th e essays address the main themesin his work over the years, and illustrate as well Hughes'impact on the contributors, many of whom are themselvessenior fi gures in the fi eld. Th e book as a whole providesa distinguished and representative sampling of a majorstream of contemporary sociological thought. Each of the five main divisions in the book covers oneaspect of Hughes' work. Th e fi rst deals with the study ofoccupations and professions--a fi eld in which Hugheswas a leader. The second section deals with race relationsand other situations in which peoples of diff ering culturesmeet. Beginning with his own work in French Canadamany years ago, Hughes interests spread, and the breadthof this interest is seen in chapters on India, Peru, and racerelations in the United States. Problems of organizations--how they are put togetherand how they work--are contained in a third section. Afourth section refl ects Hughes' interest in the impact ofinstitutional experience on the people who participate insocial institutions, and includes chapters on occupationalsocialization, status passage, and the use of drugs. A fi nalsection develops still another of Hughes' interests--socialscience method. Presenting some of the most importanttopics of contemporary theory and research, this bookremains profi table reading for every member of the discipline. Howard S. Becker was professor of sociologyat the University of California, SantaBarbara. Blanche Geer was professor ofsociology at Northeastern University. DavidRiesman was a sociologist, attorneyand educator most known for his work onAmerican Higher Education. Robert S.Weiss is professor emeritus of sociologyand senior fellow, Gerontology Instituteat the John W. McCormack GraduateSchool of Policy Studies, University ofMassachusetts-Boston.