First published in 1987, gives an updated overview of the various disciplines and areas of study which go to make up the social sciences today. The essays deal expertly with the various branches of the social sciences, from anthropology to Women’s Studies, and include a useful bibliography for each topic. All the topics have been described succinctly and are comprehensible even to a casual reader. The book highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the social sciences and outlines the foundational arguments of various disciplines. This reference book can be read by everyone but will be particularly handy for students of the social sciences.