Enchanting a Disenchanted World

I have used Ritzer′s Enchanting a Disenchanted World for perhaps 4 years now. I use it for three reasons: 1) it demonstrates Marx, Weber, and Baudriallrd so that students see theorizing being done; 2) it imaginatively and cogently addresses an issue with which we are all familiar; 3) it shows sociology′s critical potential and capacity.

Brad Breems -- Dr Brad Breems * drupal *
I ended up using Eitzens book instead. This book did not cover Globalization in a way I was looking for. -- Dr Dwaine Plaza * drupal *
This is another solid contribution by Ritzer. This particular work advances his previous critique of global and local consumption practices and the related implications for our individual and collective lives, identities, and experiences. In this particular work, Ritzer has drawn on examples from a range of different consumption spaces (e.g., malls, theme parks, and leisure spaces) to demonstrate the pervasive, and invariably problematic, nature of our conspicuous consumption. The underlying examination of neo-liberal capital processes will also not go unnoticed.

Ritzer work importantly transcends disciplinary boundaries, and, in so doing, provides a useful way for to broaden students′ conceptual and theoretical understanding and knowledge application. This work may be challenging for lower-level undergraduates. However, I would not hesitate in using it in my teaching, or, to prompt upper-level students to more critically engage with the its core concepts (e.g. hyper-commercialisation and consumption). These issues certainly contour students sporting lives, and as such, Ritzer work should, I think, help them better understand the complex processes to which these lives are a part.

-- Dr Geoffery Kohe * drupal *
Probably too much for the work load in my projected Intro class -- Dr George Bills * drupal *
Adopted two other books (The Social Lens and Illuminating Social Life) published by Sage that substantively covers the core ideas in this text. -- Dr James Dzisah * drupal *
The theories and concepts introduced in the book generate heated discussion amongst students on consumption and globlisation. Ritzer′s analysis is valuable also because it provokes critical debates on contemporary culture in general. -- Dr Miyoung Oh * drupal *
This is an accessible but thorough discussion of ′consumer society′ - a key text for today′s social theory students. -- Dr Serena Bufton * drupal *
This is a great follow-up from Ritzer and for many students offers an alternative perspective towards neo-liberal critiques. In addition, it offers another way of thinking about the impact of social orders on changes and trends within and accross a range of community practices. -- Jane Jackson * drupal *
May be supplemental with another text. -- Ms Rachael Smith * drupal *