RSU to Present Review of Social Theory Book

Dr. Frank Elwell, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts at Rogers State University, will review his book, “Macrosociology: Four Modern Theorists,” on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the RSU Stratton Taylor Library.

The review, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 3:30 p.m. in room 207 of the library. The event is part of the RSU Literary Review Series.

“Macrosociology: Four Modern Theorists” explores f our modern practioners of classical sociological analysis. In his book, published last fall, Elwell analyzes the work of C. Wright Mills, Marvin Harris, Gerhard Lenski, and Immanuel Wallerstein. The four men examined such phenomena and processes as the rise and impact of capitalism; the centralization and enlargement of authority; inequality; and the historical intensification of production and populations. Borrowing what is useful from the classics as well as relying on contemporary practitioners and empirical evidence, each theorist adds his own insights and interpretations in constructing a comprehensive perspective of sociocultural stability and change.

Elwell’s areas of academic specialty include social evolution, industrialization, cultural ecology, and social theory. He received a doctoral degree in sociology from the State University of New York at Albany, master’s degrees from SUNY-Albany in sociology and SUNY-New Paltz in political science and education, and a bachelor’s degree in history and education from Eastern Michigan University. He is the author of several books including “A Commentary on Malthus’ 1798 Essay on Population as Social Theory,” “The Evolution of the Future,” and “Industrializing America: Understanding Contemporary Society through Classical Sociological Analysis.”

More information is available by contacting the RSU Stratton Taylor Library at 343-7716.