The concept of intersectionality is on its way to becoming a new paradigm in gender studies. In its current version, it denominates reciprocities between gender, race and class. However, it also allows for the integration of other socially defined categories, such as sexuality, nationality or age. On the other hand, it is widely left unclear as to which level these reciprocal effects apply: the level of social structures, the level of constructions of identity or the level of symbolic representations. This article advocates an intersectional multi-level analysis which takes into account reciprocal effects between the various levels. This approach includes an analytical grasp of and methodical reflection on these reciprocal effects as well as making them empirically accessible.

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Although it seems scientifically implausible, holistically oriented forms of alternative and complementary medicine (ACM) have become popular over the past few years. Homeopathy is considered to be one of the most widespread, heterogeneous, and controversial of these therapies. Science works as a generator of professional identity in such groups of medical outsiders. This article is based on extensive research on homeopathic communities conducted over several years. It will outline social conditions of homeopathic knowledge and treatment as opposed to scientific standards and will shed some light on homeopathy as affected by science on three levels: homeopathic research, education, and everyday work. Since the area of medical science and research affects homeopathic practice but not vice versa, this article will also highlight the challenge of "doing science" in a still marginalized field.

Das Thema soziale Ungleichheit steht nach wie vor im Zentrum der Soziologie. Die mehrdimensionale Analyse sozialer Ungleichheit stellt unter dem Begriff der »Intersektionalität« in den letzten Jahren die wohl größte Innovation in diesem Feld dar und gewinnt auch in der Lehre zunehmend an Bedeutung - insbesondere in den Modulen zur Soziologie sozialer Ungleichheit, zur Sozialstrukturanalyse und zu den Gender Studies. Erstmals im deutschsprachigen Raum liegt nun eine kompakte Analyse dieses zentralen Ansatzes der Soziologie sozialer Ungleichheit vor. Die Ausarbeitung einer klaren forschungsanleitenden Theorie und Methodik machen den Band zu einem wertvollen Begleiter in Lehre und Forschung.