"The Existential Self in Society" explores the ways in which we experience and shape our individuality in a rapidly changing social world. Kotarba and Fontana have gathered eleven original essays that form an exciting contribution and an ideal introduction to the emerging field of existential sociology.

Rock 'n' roll infuses the everyday life of the American adult, but for the first, complete generation of rock 'n' roll fans--baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964--it holds a special kind of value, playing a social personality-defining role that is unique to this group. Based on 18 years of sociological research and 52 years of rock 'n' roll fandom, Baby Boomer Rock 'n' Roll Fans: The Music Never Ends draws on data collected from participant observations and interviews with artists, fans, and producers to explore our aging rock culture through the filter of symbolic interactionist theory....

Deviance has long been a cornerstone of sociological inquiry, so much so that commentators have determined that it is overused, under-defined and may have run its analytical course. It has become a contested category in the last few years, and some sociologists have proclaimed the 'death of deviance', noting that the abundance of introductory classes on the subject are not synonymous with a vibrant field of research. This comprehensive volume analyses the uses of the 'deviance' concept to show its possible utility in a variety of fields such as religion, education, and media narratives....