The Blackwell Companion to Major Contemporary Social Theorists is a survey of contemporary social theory that focuses on the thinkers themselves. In original essays especially commissioned for this volume, leading experts and practitioners examine the life and work of 13 major theorists such as Elias, Baudrillard, Giddens, and Butler. Includes 13 original essays by leading scholars on major contemporary social theorists. Covers key figures such as Elias, Goffman, Foucault, Habermas, Giddens, Bourdieu, and Butler. Essays include biographical sketches, the social and intellectual context, and the impact of the thinker's work on social theory generally. Includes bibliographies of the theorist's most important works as well as key secondary works. Can be used in conjunction with The Blackwell Companion to Major Classical Social Theorists, edited by George Ritzer, for a complete reference source in social theory.

The Blackwell Companion to Major Contemporary SocialTheorists is a survey of contemporary social theory thatfocuses on the thinkers themselves. In original essays especiallycommissioned for this volume, leading experts and practitionersexamine the life and work of 13 major theorists such as EliasBaudrillard, Giddens, and Butler.* * Includes 13 original essays by leading scholars on majorcontemporary social theorists.* Covers key figures such as Elias, Goffman, Foucault, HabermasGiddens, Bourdieu, and Butler.* Essays include biographical sketches, the social andintellectual context, and the impact of the thinker's work onsocial theory generally.* Includes bibliographies of the theorist's most important worksas well as key secondary works.* Can be used in conjunction with The Blackwell Companion toMajor Classical Social Theorists, edited by George Ritzer, fora complete reference source in social theory.

Preface.List Of Contributors.Introduction: Metatheorizing Contemporary Social Theorists: ToddStillman.1. Robert K. Merton: Piotr Sztompka.2. Erving Goffman: Gary Alan Fine And Philip Manning.3. Richard M. Emerson: Karen S. Cook And Joseph Whitmeyer.4. James Coleman: Siegwart Lindenberg.5. Harold Garfinkel: Anne Rawls.6. Daniel Bell: Malcolm Waters.7. Norbert Elias: Richard Kilminster And Stephen Mennell.8. Michael Foucault: Barry Smart.9. Jürgen Habermas: William Outhwaite.10. Anthony Giddens: Christopher G. A. Bryant And DavidJary.11. Pierre Bourdieu: Craig Calhoun.12. Jean Baudrillard: Douglas Kellner.13. Judith Butler: Patricia T. Clough.Index.