Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Understanding Contemporary Society: Theories of the Present is a comprehensive textbook to guide students through the complexities of social theory today. Over 30 chapters, written by an international team of contributors, demonstrate clearly the practical applications of social theory in making sense of the modern world. Students are both introduced to the most significant theories and guided through the major social developments which shape our lives.

Key features of the book are: clearly structured and readable prose; bullet pointed summaries and annotated further reading for each topic; makes complex issues accessible to undergraduates; focuses on relevance and practicality; chapter lay-out which is ideal for teaching and seminar readings.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Theory, Theorists and Themes
• A User's Guide to Understanding the Present
• Part 1 Theories
• Postmodernism
• A Guide for the Perplexed
• Post-Feminism
• Post-History
• Living at the End
• Post-Marxism
• Post-Colonialism and Beyond
• Reflexive Modernization
• Narrative
• Rational Choice Theory
• Complexity Theory
• Contemporary Liberalism
• Democracy
• Liberal and Direct
• Communitarianism
• New Thinking in International Relations
• Utopia and Dystopia
• Part 2 Themes
• Post-Modernity
• Globalization
• Restructuring
• Cities in the Global Economy
• Cultural Studies
• Intellectuals
• Higher Education
• Mass Communication
• The Web
• Nationalism
• Islam
• Cultural Pluralism Today
• Families and Households
• The Body
• Intimate Choices
• Environmentalism
• Social Movements
• Social Inequalities
• Coming to Terms with Complexity