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This book explores the innovative, sociological approach adopted by Harriet Martineau in her efforts to develop a 'scientific' approach to understanding social and societal change. With attention to her focus on the key social structures and societal issues of her day - the economy, education, the condition of women and the evils of slavery - the authors highlight her creation and application of what we now recognise as sociological methodology, fieldwork and analysis. Through an examination in each chapter of the writings that best illustrate Martineau's sociological perspective, Reintroducing Harriet Martineau discusses her enduring contribution to sociology. As such, it will appeal to scholars and students of sociology with interests in the history of the discipline and questions of methodology.
List of contents
Chapter 1: Introducing Harriet Martineau
Chapter 2: Sociological Analysis and Methodology
Chapter 3: The Condition of Women
Chapter 4: Educational Perspectives
Chapter 5: Fighting Slavery
Chapter 6: Health Care and Hospitals
Chapter 7: Environmentalism and Experimentation
Chapter 8: Journey to Secularism
Chapter 9: Experience of Disability to Sociology of Disability
Chapter 10: Harriet Martineau's Sociological Legacy
Bibliography: selected works of Harriet Martineau
Bibliography: secondary sources
About the author
Stuart Hobday is a doctoral researcher in the Department of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia and the author of Encounters with Harriet Martineau.
Gaby Weiner has held a number of professorial and honorary research positions in the UK and Sweden. Her publications include Feminisms in Education, Closing the Gender Gap: Postwar Educational and Social Change, Kids in Cyberspace, Reconstructing and Deconstructing Lives, Tales of Loving and Leaving, and Harriet Martineau and the Birth of the Disciplines.
Summary
Through an examination in each chapter of the writings that best illustrate her sociological perspective, this book examines Martineau’s efforts to develop a ‘scientific’ approach to understanding social and societal change, thus demonstrating her enduring contribution and continuing relevance to sociology.
