Making Sense of Everyday Life

By Susie Scott

Book Overview

This accessible introductory text explains the importance of studying 'everyday life' in the social sciences. Susie Scott examines such varied topics as home, time and schedules, leisure, and eating, to show how societies are created and reproduced by the apparently mundane micro-level practices of everyday life.

Each chapter is organized around three main themes: 'rituals and routines', 'social order', and 'challenging the taken-for-granted', with intriguing examples and illustrations. Theoretical approaches from ethnomethodology, Symbolic Interactionism and social psychology are introduced and applied to real-life situations, and there is clear emphasis throughout on empirical research findings. Social order depends on individuals following norms and rules which are so familiar as to appear natural; yet, as Scott encourages the reader to discover, these are always open to question and investigation.

This user-friendly book reveals the fascinating significance that our everyday habits hold. It will appeal to undergraduate students across the social sciences, including the sociology of everyday life, the sociology of emotions, social psychology and cultural studies.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B007YWFYAI
• ISBN13: 9780745642680
• Release Date: July 2009
• Publisher: Polity Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 8.9"