List of publications in sociology - Definition

This is a list of important publications in sociology, organized by field.

Some reasons why a particular publication might be regarded as important:

Topic creator – A publication that created a new topic
Breakthrough – A publication that changed scientific knowledge significantly
Introduction – A publication that is a good introduction or survey of a topic
Influence – A publication which has significantly influenced the world
Latest and greatest – The current most advanced result in a topic

Foundations

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

Max Weber
Die protestantische Ethik und der 'Geist' des Kapitalismus, 1904
Online version (http://www.ne.jp/asahi/moriyuki/abukuma/weber/world/ethic/pro_eth_frame.html)

Description: In The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Weber puts forward a thesis that Puritan ethic and ideas had influenced the development of capitalism. However religious devotion usually was accompanied by rejection of mundane affairs including economic pursuit. Why was that not the case with Protestantism? Weber addresses that paradox in that work.

Importance: Topic creator, Breakthrough, Influence