Ritual as a Missing Link: Sociology, Structural Ritualization Theory, and Research

by J. David Knottnerus

Overview

Up to now, ritual has been under-utilised for studying human behaviour. This book narrows the gap in our understanding of the social causes and consequences of our actions by focusing on the ritualised behaviours that define much of our daily lives. Knottnerus breaks new ground by comprehensively describing structural ritualistic theory. He shows how structural reproduction has occurred throughout the world, how rituals can be strategically used and how power can influence rituals, and how the disruption and reconstitution of ritual is of crucial importance for human beings. This book shows that ritual provides a missing link in sociology and helps us better explain the extreme complexity of human action and social reality.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781594518560
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/30/2012
Series:	The Sociological Imagination
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

J. David Knottnerus is Professor of Sociology at Oklahoma State University. He earned an undergraduate degree in sociology from Beloit College and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in sociology from Southern Illinois University–Carbondale. Knottnerus has published in the areas of social theory, social psychology, group processes, social structure and inequality, and collective behavior/social movements. Most of his efforts in recent years have focused on the development of structural ritualization theory and research. He is currently the coeditor—with Bernard Phillips—of the series Advancing the Sociological Imagination, with Paradigm Publishers. His most recent books are, coedited with Bernard Phillips, Bureaucratic Culture and Escalating World Problems: Advancing the Sociological Imagination (Paradigm Publishers) and, coedited with Sing C. Chew, Structure, Culture, and History: Recent Issues in Social Theory (Rowman & Littlefield). His new book, with Jason S. Ulsperger, Elder Care Catastrophe: Rituals of Abuse in Nursing Homes—And What You Can Do About It, is forthcoming with Paradigm Publishers. Excerpts from his work are on the website www.sociological-imagination.org. His email address is [e-mail].

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Chapter 1 Understanding Rituals in Everyday Life: Sociology and Structural Ritualization Theory 1

Chapter 2 Analysis of Ritual Dynamics 15

Chapter 3 Structural Reproduction in the World and Throughout History 41

Chapter 4 Strategic Ritualization and Power: Nazi Germany, the Orange Order, and Native Americans J. David Knottnerus Jean Van Delinder Jennifer Edwards 73

Chapter 5 Disruption and Deritualization: Concentration Camp Internment and the Breakdown of Social Order Frédérique Van de Poel-Knottnerus J. David Knottnerus 107

Chapter 6 Ritual as a Missing Link Within Sociology: Current and Future Research 133

Chapter 7 Social and Personal Life: Applications and Implications 155

References 171

Index 189

About the Author 195