Critical Social Theories

Praised for its clarity and accessibility, Critical Social Theories presents a comprehensive analysis of today's leading social and cultural theories. Author Ben Agger addresses a wealth of diverse perspectives, from feminism and cultural studies to postmodernism and critical theory. Now fully updated and revised in its third edition, the book offers a wide-ranging discussion of race, gender, and global economic dynamics; Internet culture and social media; and much more.

New to this Edition

* Addresses changes to social theories brought about by the Internet, discussed within the context of globalization
* Analyzes what has increasingly become a "media culture," in which pulp publications such as newspapers and books are being replaced by television, movies, and the Internet
* Examines Internet-based social movements like the Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street
* Updates references to scholarly literature, including material published in the past several years

Ben Agger is Professor of Sociology and Humanities and Director of the Center for Theory at the University of Texas at Arlington. Among his recent books are Texting Toward Utopia: Kids, Writing, and Resistance (2013), Oversharing: Presentations of Self in the Internet Age (2012), and Body Problems: Running and Living Long in a Fast-Food Society (2010).