This  book  is  a  comparative  and  critical  introduction  to  various  major  social theories  and  methods  with  an  emphasis  on  the  implicit  assumptions  upon which  they  are  founded.  It  aims  to  go  beyond  the  conventional  theories  and methods  in  social  sciences  that  are  colored  with  Eurocentrism.  It  attempts to  teach  the reader  not  only  the  existing  theories  but  also the  art  of  theory-building. 
This  book  intends  to  enable  students  of  social  sciences  to  achieve  “intellectual independence” by explaining how to critically and comparatively analyze existing theories and methods; to identify the origins of existing theories, methods, and ideas; and to produce their own ideas.