Cultural Sociology: An Introduction is the first dedicated student textbook to address cultural sociology as a legitimate model for sociological thinking and research. Highly renowned authors present a rich overview of major sociological themes and the various empirical applications of cultural sociology. In recent years, sociology has recognised the significance of culture as a focus for understanding the processes and systems of relations through which societies are arranged. It is no longer seen as merely the by-product of structural experiences of class, gender, race, but as a force in itself for the creation of social experience. The field is now burgeoning and Cultural Sociology: An Introduction is the first dedicated student textbook to systematically address cultural sociology as a legitimate model for sociological thinking and research. A group of highly renowned and respected authors focus on major sociological themes and issues, such as gender, class, and race, and clearly illustrate how their application in cultural sociology compares with their use in more conventional sociological approaches. The book also sets out the key antecedents contributing to the emergence of cultural sociology and presents students with a firm grounding in theoretical and methodological principles applied by cultural sociologists in their work. The result is a rich overview of the various empirical applications of cultural sociology, which engages student interest by outlining cultural sociological approaches with a connection to everyday cultural experiences, including music, fashion, eating, and media.