The Sociology of Art: Ways of Seeing Edited by David Inglis and John Hughson What can sociology add to our understanding of art in contemporary society? The Sociology of Art provides a fascinating new insight into how artistic processes are shaped by their social settings, and considers the impact that social and cultural contexts have on the way in which artistic products are greeted by audiences. This book brings together a range of leading authors who demonstrate the many ways in which sociology can enrich our understanding of artistic issues. Highlighting all the important developments in the world of art and culture, the book offers the reader a comprehensive and accessible guide to the field. All major schools of thought are covered, along with excellent discussions of many different art forms, ranging from ballet to the 'art film'. While providing an exciting new approach for the social analysis of culture and art, the authors also raise the interesting question of how the sociology of art should proceed in the twenty-first century. Both readers new to the sociology of art and those already familiar with its debates and controversies will find that this book is an invaluable resource for understanding sociology's significant contributions to the study of artistic and aesthetic issues. David Inglis is Senior Lecturer in Sociology, University of Aberdeen. He writes in the areas of sociology of culture and social theory. His books include Culture and Everyday Life (2005) and (with John Hughson) Confronting Culture: Sociological Vistas (2003). John Hughson is Senior Lecturer in the Social, Cultural and Historical aspects of Leisure and Sport at the University of Otago, New Zealand. He is co-author (with David Inglis) of Confronting Culture: Sociological Vistas (2003), and The Uses of Sport: A Critical Study (2005).