Seinology: The Sociology of Seinfeld

By Tim Delaney

Book Overview

Sociologist and avid Seinfeld fan, Tim Delaney explores what sociologists and all interested readers can learn about themselves and their society from this tremendously popular sitcom. His work represents a fascinating blend of popular and contemporary culture with the keen observations of a scholar trained to assess social behavior. Delaney uses excerpts from many of the now-classic episodes to illustrate key facets of social interaction. In fifteen chapters, amusingly titled after some of the show's famous incidents, he reviews what its characters teach us about ourselves and the complex society in which we live.Fans of Seinfeld will enjoy reliving their fondest memories associated with each episode. Students and laypersons alike will learn basic sociological concepts and theories in this jargonfree work. Seinology provides Seinfeld fans an opportunity to view this brilliant television show through the sociologist's well-trained eye.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1591023955
• ISBN13: 9781591023951
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.9" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Seinology review

In new condition. I was very pleased with it since I was giving it away as a Christmas gift.

An excellent introduction to sociology

For anyone interested in knowing what sociology is all about, this book serves as an excellent introduction. Using episodes of "Seinfeld" to illustrate the main areas of sociology, it demonstates that this was a show about everything, rather than nothing. Just how many seats at a movie theater should one be able to save? Only "Seinology" knows for sure.

A top pick for college-level sociology courses

Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David's syndicated show SEINFELD succeeds in large part because it's packed with social observations blended with comedy. The effect is hard-hitting and fun, and here in SEINOLOGY: THE SOCIOLOGY OF SEINFELD, sociology professor Tim Delaney examines how these social observations work. Chapters consider key facets of sociology and how they relate to Seinfeld shows, using chapters titled after some of the show's famous incidents to illustrate. A top pick for college-level sociology courses which wish to connect to student interests and experiences to teach or introduce the field of sociology. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

Great book for an educational look on everyday life!

I thought Seinology was a great book. If you do not know alot about sociology it helps you learn several different topics covered by sociologists and puts it into an example from which you can understand the topic. Giving the descriptions from Seinfeld helps the reader put everything together, and lets you think of examples in our own everyday lives where you can relate. It is funny to read the examples that Delaney gives in his book from Seinfeld. Not being a big veiwer of the show, after reading the book, I wanted to go rent every season.