
An Introduction to Sociology
SAGE Publications Ltd (Publisher)
2nd Edition
Published on 28. April 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
616 pages
978-1-0362-0665-9 (ISBN)
Description
An Introduction to Sociology is your essential guide to understanding the social forces that shape our lives and the world around us.
This innovative textbook introduces you to the key theories, themes, and concepts in the discipline of sociology. Delving into the history, current debates and recent research on each topic, this book covers everything from classical sociologies and traditional subjects such as class, families, and religion, through to cutting-edge areas like AI, climate change and social media, and the interconnectedness of modern global society.
In this second edition you will encounter:
- Brand new chapters on media, cities, disability, sexuality and nationalism;
- Case Study boxes in each chapter taking you through cases from around the world;
- An applied approach with a section on 'Using Sociology' and 'Hear from the Expert' boxes throughout;
- Reflexive activities and revision questions to help you think critically about sociology in practice.
This definitive text is perfect for first-year sociology undergraduates and anyone studying sociology at university or college level.
This innovative textbook introduces you to the key theories, themes, and concepts in the discipline of sociology. Delving into the history, current debates and recent research on each topic, this book covers everything from classical sociologies and traditional subjects such as class, families, and religion, through to cutting-edge areas like AI, climate change and social media, and the interconnectedness of modern global society.
In this second edition you will encounter:
- Brand new chapters on media, cities, disability, sexuality and nationalism;
- Case Study boxes in each chapter taking you through cases from around the world;
- An applied approach with a section on 'Using Sociology' and 'Hear from the Expert' boxes throughout;
- Reflexive activities and revision questions to help you think critically about sociology in practice.
This definitive text is perfect for first-year sociology undergraduates and anyone studying sociology at university or college level.
Reviews / Votes
This comprehensive collection provides up to date and relevant sociological information from experts in each topic area. Theory is made accessible and applicable through practical examples. This book is a perfect broad overview and will be all you need at the start of your sociology course before choosing your own specialised direction. -- Nancy Lombard This second edition of Introduction to Sociology invites the reader to view the world from a contemporary sociological perspective by exploring key issues in modern global society (including the concept of society itself), such as responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, digital society, immigration and decolonisation amongst many other issues. It is refreshing to have an entry level text that explores contemporary issues using classic theoretical frameworks to explore emergent sociological concepts. Illustrated throughout by case studies relevant and familiar to today's readers and interspersed with questions inviting the reader to 'pause for thought' to critically analyse and explore an issue in greater depth. -- Helen Cazaly TaylorMore details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Dimensions
Height: 246 mm
Width: 189 mm
Thickness: 33 mm
Weight
1177 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0362-0665-9 (9781036206659)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Karim Murji | Sarah Neal | John Solomos
An Introduction to Sociology
Book
04/2026
2nd Edition
SAGE Publications Ltd
€160.50
Shipment within 15-20 days

Karim Murji | Sarah Neal | John Solomos
An Introduction to Sociology
E-Book
04/2026
2nd Edition
Sage Publications Ltd (Digital)
€153.99
Available for download

Karim Murji | Sarah Neal | John Solomos
An Introduction to Sociology
E-Book
04/2026
2nd Edition
Sage Publications Ltd (Digital)
€153.99
Available for download
Previous edition

Karim Murji | Sarah Neal | John Solomos
An Introduction to Sociology
Book
11/2021
1st Edition
SAGE Publications Ltd
€54.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
Persons
Karim Murji is Professor of Social Policy at the University of West London. His research covers areas such as racism, urban studies migration, and policing; and publications include Racism, Policy and Politics (Policy Press, 2017). plus many papers from an ESRC-funded project on the Open City. With Sarah Neal he was the Editor of Current Sociology, and before that of Sociology. He is a Trustee of the Sociological Review Foundation. Sarah Neal is Professor of Sociology in the School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations at the University of Sheffield. Sarah's research engages with everyday social life in urban and rural places with a focus on ethnicity, multiculture, race and migration; communities and belonging. She has recently completed research projects investigating leisure practices and urban space; citizenship and religion in primary school worlds and the impact of Brexit in rural geographies. Sarah is widely published with a range of monographs and journal articles. With Karim Murji she was an editor of Current Sociology (2017-2024) and Sociology (2013-2017) and she is a member of the editorial board for Ethnic and Racial Studies.
John Solomos is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Warwick. He has researched and written widely on the history and contemporary forms of race and ethnic relations in Britain, theories of race and racism, the politics of race, equal opportunity policies, multiculturalism and social policy, race and football, and racist movements and ideas. His most recent book is Antiracism: A Critique (Polity Press 2025). He has been Joint-Editor and Editor-in-Chief of the international journal Ethnic and Racial Studies since 1995. The journal publishes16 issues a year by Routledge. He is also co-editor of the book series on Racism, Resistance and Social Change for Manchester University Press (with Satnam Virdee and Aaron Winter).
John Solomos is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Warwick. He has researched and written widely on the history and contemporary forms of race and ethnic relations in Britain, theories of race and racism, the politics of race, equal opportunity policies, multiculturalism and social policy, race and football, and racist movements and ideas. His most recent book is Antiracism: A Critique (Polity Press 2025). He has been Joint-Editor and Editor-in-Chief of the international journal Ethnic and Racial Studies since 1995. The journal publishes16 issues a year by Routledge. He is also co-editor of the book series on Racism, Resistance and Social Change for Manchester University Press (with Satnam Virdee and Aaron Winter).
Content
Chapter 1: Approaching Sociology
Chapter 2: What is Society
Chapter 3: Global Sociology and Our Interconnected World
Chapter 4: Classical Sociologies
Chapter 5: Contemporary Sociologies
Chapter 6: Public Sociology
Chapter 7: Class
Chapter 8: Gender
Chapter 9: Sexuality
Chapter 10: Race
Chapter 11: Age
Chapter 12: Disability and Neurodiversity
Chapter 13: Families and Households
Chapter 14: Work
Chapter 15: Health
Chapter 16: Education
Chapter 17: Religion
Chapter 18: Crime and Deviance
Chapter 19: Cultures & Consumption
Chapter 20: Digital Sociologies
Chapter 21: Media and Sociology
Chapter 22: War and Political Violence
Chapter 23: Nationalism and National Identity
Chapter 24: Social Movements
Chapter 25: Migrations
Chapter 26: Climate Change and the Environment
Chapter 27: Science and Technology
Chapter 28: Living in the City
Chapter 29: Using Sociology
Chapter 2: What is Society
Chapter 3: Global Sociology and Our Interconnected World
Chapter 4: Classical Sociologies
Chapter 5: Contemporary Sociologies
Chapter 6: Public Sociology
Chapter 7: Class
Chapter 8: Gender
Chapter 9: Sexuality
Chapter 10: Race
Chapter 11: Age
Chapter 12: Disability and Neurodiversity
Chapter 13: Families and Households
Chapter 14: Work
Chapter 15: Health
Chapter 16: Education
Chapter 17: Religion
Chapter 18: Crime and Deviance
Chapter 19: Cultures & Consumption
Chapter 20: Digital Sociologies
Chapter 21: Media and Sociology
Chapter 22: War and Political Violence
Chapter 23: Nationalism and National Identity
Chapter 24: Social Movements
Chapter 25: Migrations
Chapter 26: Climate Change and the Environment
Chapter 27: Science and Technology
Chapter 28: Living in the City
Chapter 29: Using Sociology