Ritzer Theory Suite

Welcome to the Companion Site!

This site is intended to enhance your use of Classical Sociological Theory 7e, Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots 5e, Modern Sociological Theory 8e, and Sociological Theory 10e by George Ritzer and Jeffrey Stepnisky. The materials on this site are geared toward increasing your effectiveness with this material and maximizing the potential for your students to learn.

Classical Sociological Theory, Seventh Edition

Now with SAGE Publishing, and co-authored by one of the foremost authorities on sociological theory, Classical Sociological Theory, Seventh Edition, provides a comprehensive overview of the major theorists and schools of sociological thought from the Enlightenment roots of theory through the early 20th century. The integration of key theories with biographical sketches of theorists and the requisite historical and intellectual context helps students to better understand the original works of classical authors as well as to compare and contrast classical theories.

Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots, Fifth Edition

Now with SAGE Publishing, Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots: The Basics, is a brief survey of sociology's major theorists and theoretical approaches, from the Classical founders to the present. With updated scholarship in the new Fifth Edition, authors George Ritzer and Jeffrey Stepnisky connect many theorists and schools of thought together under broad headings that offer students a synthesized view of sociological theory. This text is perfect for those who want an accessible overview of the entire tradition of sociological thinking, with an emphasis on the contemporary relevance of theory.

Modern Sociological Theory, Eighth Edition

The Eighth Edition of Modern Sociological Theory by George Ritzer and Jeffrey Stepnisky provides a comprehensive overview of the major theorists and theoretical schools, from the Structural Functionalism of early 20th century through the cutting-edge theories of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The integration of key theories with biographical sketches of theorists and the requisite historical and intellectual context helps students to better understand the original works of contemporary thinkers.

Sociological Theory, Tenth Edition

The Tenth Edition of Sociological Theory by George Ritzer and Jeffrey Stepnisky gives readers a comprehensive overview of the major theorists and schools of sociological thought, from sociology's origins through the early 21^st century. Key theories are integrated with biographical sketches of theorists, and are placed in their historical and intellectual context. This text helps students better understand the original works of classical and contemporary theorists, and enables them to compare and contrast the latest substantive concepts.

Classical Sociological Theory, Eighth Edition

Written by a pair of theory experts--one of whom is a leading theorist and one of the foremost authorities on sociological theory--Classical Sociological Theory text provides a comprehensive overview of the major theorists and schools of sociological thought from the Enlightenment roots of theory through the early 20th Century. The integration of key theories with biographical sketches of theorists and the requisite historical and intellectual context helps students to better understand the original works of classical authors as well as to compare and contrast classical theories.

Sociological Theory, Eleventh Edition

Sociological Theory gives readers a comprehensive overview of the major theorists and schools of sociological thought, from sociology's 19th century origins through the early 21st century. Written by an author team that includes one of the leading contemporary thinkers, the text integrates key theories with biographical sketches of theorists, placing them in historical and intellectual context. The Eleventh Edition includes examples of premodern sociological theory from Islamic scholar Ibn Khaldun, Harriet Martineau’s feminist writings contextualized within the history of sociological thought, discussions of actor-network theory through Donna Haraway’s work on cyborgs and companion species, illustrations of historical comparative sociology with Saskia Sassen’s concepts of the global city and expulsions, and more ways to help students to understand sociology’s major theories.

Modern Sociological Theory, Ninth Edition

Modern Sociological Theory, Ninth Edition gives readers a comprehensive overview of the major theorists and schools of sociological thought, from sociology's 19th century origins through the mid-20th century. Written by an author team that includes one of the leading contemporary thinkers, the text integrates key theories with biographical sketches of theorists, placing them in historical and intellectual context. 

Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots, Sixth Edition

Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots, Sixth Edition: The Basics, is a brief survey of sociology's major theorists and theoretical approaches, from the Classical founders to the present. The content is adapted from Ritzer/Stepnisky, Sociological Theory, and the authors connect many theorists together into chapters with broad headings (Contemporary Integrative Theories, Contemporary Theories of Everyday Life, etc.) that offer students a big-picture, synthesized view of sociological theory. Because of its size, price, and flexible organization, the text can be used in a variety of undergraduate sociological theory classes: Classical, Contemporary, or Combined.. 

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge George Ritzer and Jeffrey Stepnisky for writing an excellent text and for reviewing the assets on this site. Special thanks are also due to Jason Eastman of Coastal Carolina University for creating the ancillaries on this site.