Sociology

Included Index.

1. Understanding sociology --
What is sociology? --
What is sociological theory? --
The development of sociology --
Major theoretical perspectives --
Developing the sociological imagination --
2. Sociological research --
What is the scientific method? --
Major research designs --
Ethics of research --
Technology and sociological research --
3. Culture --
Culture and society --
Development of culture around the world --
Elements of culture --
Culture and the dominant ideology --
Cultural variation --
4. Socialization --
The role of socialization --
The self socialization --
Socialization and the life course --
Agents of socialization --
5. Social interaction and social structure --
Social interaction and reality --
Elements of social structure --
Social structure in global perspective --
6. Groups and organizations --
Understanding groups --
Understanding organizations --
Technology's impact on the workplace --
7. The mass media --
Sociological perspectives of the media --
The audience --
The media industry --
8. Deviance and social control --
Social control --
Deviance --
Crime --
9. Stratification in the United States and worldwide --
Understanding stratification --
Stratification by social class --
Social mobility --
Stratification in the world system --
Stratification within nations : a comparative perspective --
10. Racial and ethnic inequality --
Minority, racial, and ethnic groups --
Prejudice and discrimination --
Studying race and ethnicity --
Patterns of intergroup relations --
Race and ethnicity in the United States. 11. Stratification by gender and age --
Social construction of gender --
Explaining stratification by gender --
Women : the oppressed majority --
Aging and society --
Explaining the aging process --
Age stratification in the United States --
12. The family and intimate relationships --
Global view of the family --
Studying the family --
Marriage and family --
Divorce --
Diverse lifestyles --
13. Religion and education --
Durkheim and the sociological approach to religion --
World religions --
The role of religion --
Religious behavior --
Religious organization --
Sociological perspectives on education --
Schools as formal organizations --
14. Government, the economy, and the environment --
Economic systems --
Power and authority --
Political behavior in the United States --
Models of power structure in the United States --
The changing economy --
The environment --
15. Population, health, and communities --
Demography : the study of population --
World population patterns --
Fertility patterns in the United States --
Sociological perspectives on health and illness --
Social epidemiology and health --
How did communities originate? --
Urbanization --
Types of communities --
16. Social movements, social change, and technology --
Social movements --
Theories of social change --
Resistance to social change --
Technology and the future --
Technology and society.

This introductory text adopts a strong cross-cultural focus and an eclectic approach to current topics, with social policy sections. This edition features new sections including global perspectives on women, international crime rates and US population policies overseas - plus a new chapter, "Social Inequality Worldwide". Three new supplements include an annotated instructor's edition, a critical thinking guide, and a brief English for non-native speakers guide. Balanced treatment of the three major sociological perspectives functionalism conflict theory, interactionism. Applies theoretical and research material to contemporary polticy issues (unique to this text) making sociology relevant for every student. continuous use f cross-cultural examples; coverage of issues affecting women thoughout text not just in gender stratification. (example - women and politics chapter - chapter 15). A new chapter on cross-cultural issues "Social Inequality Worldwide" (ch. 9) that includes an extended case study on stratification in Brazil, modernization in Kenya and inequality in Japan among other issues. Twenty-two new boxes, including "The Eloquence of Sign-language", "Self Help Groups", "Blaming the Victim", "The Process of Role Exit", and "Motorists as Welfare Recipients". Seven new social policy sections (tied to the text with a set of three or four questions for each) on such topics as sexual harassment, catastrophic health care, family leave, inequalities in school financing, and homelessness. New sections on topics such as the underclass (ch. 8) school choice programs (ch. 16), and the conflict view of urban growth (ch. 18).