The authors of the bestselling Understanding Classical Sociology (SAGE Publications, 1995), present the companion volume dealing with the modern period of social theory. Understanding Modern Sociology will be: welcomed by lecturers as a vital new teaching and research aid; students will be stimulated and enriched by the unfussy and reliable advice on doing sociology; The first chapter outlines the main changes in society and sociology following the classical period and the subsequent chapters give detailed accounts of four perspectives that are regarded to be of seminal importance: functionalism; critical theory; structuralism; symbolic interactionism; The winning features that made Understanding Classical Sociology so popular are replicated here: clarity of exposition and criticism; a passion for the importance and relevance of sociological reasoning and explanation; commitment to treat social theory as a living tradition of thought. In addition, the volume comes with a variety of pedagogic aids including summary points and key definitions to facilitate learning and study.