Durkheim and Modern Sociology

Contents: Preface. 1. Emile Durkheim. 2. Durkheims social facts. 3. Cognitive dualism: Durkheim spencer on the rise of individualism. 4. Durkheim\'s aphorism the justification hypothesis and the nature of social facts. 5. The rules of sociological method. 6. Rules for the explanation of social facts. 7. The division of labour in society. 8. Suicide 1897. 9. The elementary forms of the religious life 1912. 10. Social deviances/structural functionalism. 11. Durkeim\'s philosophy. Bibliography.

The works of Emile Durkheim have had an enormous influence on sociology. This book provides first a clearly written introduction to Durkheims major works looking at each of the major fields to which he contributed. Secondly it examines the ways in which Durkheim has continued to provide inspiration in a variety of areas within sociology. A valuable introduction to students of one of sociologys founding fathers and will be of interest to those interested in sociology as a whole for its assessment of the contemporary relevance of Durkheims thought for major issues. (jacket)