Sociological Theory in the Contemporary Era: Text and Readings combines the major writings of sociology's core contemporary theorists with a historical and theoretical framework for understanding these works. The text enables students to compare and contrast core concepts and ideas, stresses contemporary applications and examples, and provides a variety of visuals and pedagogical devices.

The key changes for the Second Edition are:

• A concluding chapter will look at the current state of contemporary theory, the authors' predictions for the future of theory, and perspectives like public sociology

• The feminist theory chapter will be reframed into gender theory, with coverage of queer theory

• Addition of tables comparing and contrasting theories presented in the chapters

• Addition of more 'Significant Others' boxes

• Updating/revising Chapters 1 and 10, as per reviewers' suggestions

• New photos

• New teaching resources including test questions and PowerPoint slides for each chapter