[ComedyAddict]

Hi everyone!

I am starting my BA Sociology course in the autumn and am very excited. I didn't study Sociology at school so would like some suggestions of books that would be benefical for those who want to study Sociology at degree level.

My A-Levels were in Economics, Politics and R.S. (History AS). I would prefer recommendations that are more geared towards degree level study rather than A-Level revision guides and textbooks. So far I've been looking at Giddens' 'Sociology' (6th edition) and Haralambos and Holborn's Sociology textbook as well.

Does anyone have any suggestions that are helpful for those that are new to Sociology but still relevant enough at degree level or at least to the first year of the course? Also, in terms of Sociological perspectives and thinkers, I'm familiar with Marx and with feminism from my Politics studies but would appreciate any books which introduce functionalism, Weber, Durkheim etc in an accessible way.

Thanks!

[huntthehaunted]

in first year we used the giddens book you mentioned dont worry about being new to sociology , I was and first year really helps. if your looking for incredibly accessible ferve wrote a book Dead White Men and Other Important People or if you find it a little patronizing I would suggest Marx, Durkheim, Weber: Formations of Modern Social Thought: Foundations of Modern Social Thought by morrison which I started reading towards the end of first year and still use now , but dead white men was the recommended reading and was useful for the first few months

[ComedyAddict]

Thank you so much! I know my course doesn't require students to have studied Sociology beforehand but I just want to not feel completely out of my depth. Any other advice about studying Sociology?

[huntthehaunted]

(Original post by ComedyAddict)
Thank you so much! I know my course doesn't require students to have studied Sociology beforehand but I just want to not feel completely out of my depth. Any other advice about studying Sociology?

Don't worry too much I had never studied sociology before, first year is all about a basic knowledge, I found I had no problems with feeling out of my depth. If your not sure about anything just ask your seminar tutor or lecture or if both of those intimidate you a little (they did me last year) just email you tutor or ask a course mate.

Dont worry too much and enjoy your summer before

[Micky93]

Hey,
I'm just finishing up my first year now and have found that 'Sociology' by James Fulcher & John Scott (4th Edition) has been brilliant. I did Sociology at A level but most of my friends didn't and I know this book has been great for all of us. Another good one is Sociology: the basics by Ken Plummer. It's really helpful when going over topics that are new to you as it explains them quite well.

The Gidden's one you mentioned is also brilliant. These 3 have been my main books that I've used for almost every essay and topic, along with more specialist focused books, but you only need those every now and then so just get them from the library.

Good luck!

[PJ991]

Durkheim - 'Suicide'. And 'The Elementary Forms of Religious Life'
Weber - 'The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism'

Those are the only sociology books I actually enjoyed when I did a first year module in it, and I've been able to use knowledge from them in other modules.

It's been mentioned in another post, and I'll vouch for it too: 'Marx, Durkheim, Weber: Formations of Modern Social Thought' by Kenneth Morrison is really good and quite thorough.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marx-Durkhei...5993992&sr=8-1

[ComedyAddict]

Thanks. I already have the Fulcher and Scott one so good to know it's recommended. I guess I better start reading!