Introduction to Sociology

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.

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).