What is Cultural Sociology?

Review

“What is Cultural Sociology?

 reveals Spillman's remarkable ability for analytical synthesis, and her knowledge of (often little-known) empirical studies adds welcome depth to her theoretical discussion. Rather than posing cultural sociology as a battle between schools, Spillman reconstructs it as a relatively coherent model of social life, developing a sophisticated and compelling model that provides an organizing frame for the entire cultural sociological field.”Jeffrey C. Alexander, Yale University, and Co-Director, Center for Cultural Sociology“Spillman has produced a particularly smart, sound, clear, and up-to-date description of the state of the field of cultural sociology. With a focus on meaning-making and cultural processes, she takes stock and provides an excellent account of what this popular field has to offer after thirty exciting years of dynamic growth. Her book should become an essential tool for all sociologists and a popular reference source.”Michèle Lamont, Harvard University and former President of the American Sociological Association"What is Cultural Sociology?

 makes for a valuable resource for students and teachers from the undergraduate level and up, as well as researchers interested in cultural sociology, meaning making, and the social construction of reality."Acta Sociologica"The goal of this book is to create a means by which to learn cultural sociology that is not only about certain theorists or mutually exclusive theoretical positions, and towards this end, I believe, Spillman succeeds. […] The text would make for an excellent undergraduate primer, and as such, makes the task of teaching an introduction to cultural sociology all the more attainable."International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society