Sociology: Making Sense of the Social World

This brief introduction to sociology featuresintegrated coverage of social stratification and inequality; the application of social change theory and examination of individuals and organizations who work for social change; and the inclusion of feminism as one of the major sociological paradigms.

Table of Contents:
Each chapter concludes with “Key Points to Remember,” “Key Terms,” “Key People,” “Questions for Review and Discussion,” “For Further Reading,” “Sociology through Literature and Film,” and “Internet Resources.” 1.An Introduction to Sociology. Agent of Change: Rahul Raj. The Sociological Imagination. The Development of Sociology. Social Action, Social Policy, and Social Change. Sociology for the Twenty-First Century. 2.Thinking and Working Sociologically. Agent of Change: Robert D. Bullard. The Link between Theory and Research. Thinking Sociologically: Theoretical Paradigms. Doing Sociology: The Research Process. Analyzing the Data and Drawing Conclusions. Ethical Issues in the Conduct of Scientific Research. The Politics of Doing Sociology. Scientific Research in the Twenty-First Century. 3.Social Change, Collective Behavior, and Social Action. Agent of Change: Free Burma Coalition Understanding Social Change. Collective Behavior, Social Action, and Social Change. Social Movements. Resistance to Social Change. Predicting Social Change in the Twenty-First Century. 4.The Dynamics of Social Behavior: Human Cultures. Agent of Change: Ngugi wa Thiong’o. What Is Culture? Components of Culture. Understanding Other Cultures. Diversity within Cultures. Multiculturalism versus Cultural Hegemony. Understanding Culture: Theoretical Perspectives of Culture. Cultural Trends in the Twenty-First Century. 5.Social Structure, Groups, and Organizations. Agent of Change: Amnesty International. Understanding Social Structure. Social Groups. Formal Organizations. Bureaucracies. Social Institutions. Structural Trends in the Twenty-First Century. 6.Socialization: The Process of Becoming Human. Agent of Change: Rob Carmona, Executive Director of STRIVE. The Meaning of Socialization. Understanding the Process of Socialization. Agents of Socialization. The Impact of Race, Class, and Gender on Socialization. Socialization through the Life Course. Desocialization, Resocialization, and Total Institutions. Socialization Issues in the Twenty-First Century. 7.Societies and Human Sexualities. Agents of Change:The Exotic Dancers Union. The Sociology of Human Sexuality. Human Sexuality across Time. Sociological Theories on Human Sexuality. The Social Construction of Human Sexuality. Sexual Identities. The Exercise of Power through Coercive Sexuality. Sexual Responsibility. The Look of Human Sexuality in the Twenty-First Century. 8.Deviance. Agent of Change: Professor David Protess and Student Volunteers at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. Understanding Deviance. The Range and Variability of Deviance. Forms of Deviance. Becoming Deviant: Theoretical Perspectives. Deviance and Social Control in the Twenty-First Century. 9.Social Stratification: The Structure of Inequalities. Agent of Change: Maeza Ashenafi and Sara Longwe. The Study of Social Stratification: Defining Concepts. Variations in Systems of Stratification and Inequality. Theoretical Perspectives on Socioeconomic Stratification. Socioeconomic Stratification and Inequality in the United States. A Closer Look at Social Class in the United States. Stratification and Inequality beyond the United States. Inequality in the Twenty-First Century. 10.Race, Ethnicity, and Structured Inequalities. Agent of Change: Race, Ethnicity, and the Sociological Imagination. Racism as Ideology: Creating Racial, Ethnic, and Minority Groups. Theories of Race and Ethnic Inequality. Historical Patterns of Race and Ethnic Relations. The Social Construction of Race and Ethnicity in the United States. Race and Ethnicity in the Twenty-First Century. 11.Inequalities of Gender and Age. Agent of Change: Shirin Ebadi. Understanding Gender Stratification. Work and Gender in the United States. Educational Inequities. Gender and Political Structures. Gender Inequality in the Twenty-First Century. Agent of Change: Maggie Kuhn. Aging and Society. The Graying of America and the World. Changing Age Norms. America's Elderly. Sociological Explanations of the Aging Process. Aging in the Twenty-First Century. 12.Marriages and Families: Intimacy in Social Life. Agent of Change: Marion Wright Edelman, Children's Defence Fund. Contrasting Views of Families. Marriages and Families: Basic Concepts. Marriages and Families Cross-Culturally. Theoretical Views on Marriages and Families. Developing Intimate Relationships. The Intersection of Work and Family. Divorce. Single-Parent Families. Death of a Spouse. Remarriage. Marriages and Families in the Twenty-First Century. 13.Religion and Education Agent of Change: Father Michael Phlegger. The Interactive Influence of Religion and Education. The Meaning of Religion. Sociological Perspectives on Religion. Forms of Religious Organization. Religion in the United States. Religion in the Twenty-First Century. Education as a Social Institution. Sociological Perspectives on Education. Challenges and Issues in Contemporary Education. Education in the Twenty-First Century. 14.The Economy, Work, and Politics. Agents of Change: Types of Economic Systems. The Global Economy: Challenges and Constraints. The Meaning of Work. The Relationship between Work and Society. Agent of Change: Nelson Mandela. The Nature of Power and Authority. Types of Political Systems. Shifting Political Sands. Militarism and the Military. Power and Politics in the Twenty-First Century. 15.Health, Illness, and the Delivery of Health Care. Agent of Change: Doctors without Borders. Defining Concepts. The Social Construction of Health and Illness. Sociological Perspectives of Health and Illness. Race, Class, Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Disabilities. Health and Illness in Global Perspective. Mental Health and Disorders in the United States. Death and Dying. Contemporary Issues in Health Care. Health, Illness, and Health Care in the Twenty-First Century. Epilogue: Social Action: By Whom? Social Change: For Whom? Introduction. Social Action: By Whom? Social Change: For Whom? Responding to Social Change: Convergence, Conflict, or … Final Thoughts: Social Change and You. Taking Action for Social Change.   Glossary. References. Name Index. Subject Index.

About the Author :
Barbara Marliene Scott is Professor of Sociology and Women's Studies at Northeastern Illinois University and Coordinator of the African and African American Studies Program. She is also the former Chair of the Department of Sociology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Women's Studies. Also, Dr. Scott is the President of the Association of Black Sociologists of the ASA. Mary Ann Schwartz is Professor Emeritus, Northeastern Illinois University and former Chair of the Sociology Department. Professors Scott and Schwartz share a number of academic and professional interests including: integrating the study of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation into the college curriculum; improving the academic climate for women; and union activism. Both Professors Scott and Schwartz have many years of union activism and service as organizers and officers of the local union that represents the Northeastern Illinois faculty.