Resource Overview Alternate Title(s): Twenty-First Century Sociology : A Reference Handbook, Twenty-First Century Sociology, Sociology, Twenty-First Century Platform: Sage Link to Resource Connect to Resource Information from electronic data provided by the publisher. May be incomplete or contain other coding. Because the field of sociological inquiry is multi-faceted in perspective, and does subsume a variety of specialty interests, the literature in this discipline has developed and proliferated in a near exponential fashion. Sociology, today, has become so specialty driven in its research and theory agenda that the result is an enormous and complex body of sociological knowledge that is often considered to be unwieldy. The Handbook of 21st Century Sociology provides a concise forum through which the vast array of knowledge accumulated, particularly during the past three decades, can be organized into a single definitive resource. The two volumes of this handbook focus on the corpus of knowledge garnered in traditional areas of sociological inquiry, as well as document the general orientation of the newer and currently emerging areas of sociological inquiry. Key Features Provides a timely and comprehensive assessment of the 100+ specialty fields of Sociology with contributions by leading authorities in their area of expertise from the U.S., Canada, England, Scotland, a number of countries in Europe, and Singapore. Examines four distinct phases of development in the history of sociological inquiry—a period of theoretical development, the emphasis on methodological development and refinement, the phase of specialization, and a period that has taken representatives of the discipline into previously unexplored areas. Addresses the various traditional sub-fields of sociology such as political sociology, educational sociology, rural sociology, criminology, occupational sociology, and minority relations, among others. Explores important new, evolving sub-fields, such as environmental sociology, sociology of sports and leisure, military sociology, medical sociology, the sociology of food and eating, and the sociology of emotions, to mention but some. Discusses "satellite" or "peripheral" sub-disciplines, such as women's studies, black studies, and gay and lesbian studies. presents the most comprehensive overview of modern sociology making it a must have resource for any academic library.