Majority-Minority Relations

This topically organized text is designed to develop students' understanding of the principles and processes that shape the patterns of relations between racial, ethnic, and other groups in society. Organized by topic, this book provides a more integrated look at the social forces that affect different racial groups.

Table of Contents:
COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS 1   Orientation: Basic Terms and Concepts      Part I   Social-Psychology and Social Structure as Ways of Understanding Majority-Minority Relations 2   Prejudice: Its Forms and Causes    3   Reducing Prejudice: How Achievable? How Important?    4   Macro-Sociological Perspectives: The Order and Conflict Models      Part II   The Historical Roots of Today’s Intergroup Inequality and Majority-Minority Relations 5   Origins and Causes of Ethnic Inequality    6   Changing Patterns of Majority-Minority Relations in the United States    7   Minority Group Movements and Their Impact on Society 8   Changing Values, Goals, and Models: New Thinking on Assimilation, Pluralism, and Separatism 9   Cross-Cultural Studies of Majority-Minority Relations   Part III  Majority-Minority Relations in America Today: The Role of Institutional Discrimination 10   The Status of Majority and Minority Groups in the United States Today    11   The Economic and Health Care Systems and Minority Groups in America    12   Living Apart: Housing Segregation in America    13   The American Political and Legal System and Majority-Minority Relations    14   Education and American Minority Groups   Part IV   Current and Future Issues in Majority-Minority Relations 15   Current Trends in Majority-Minority Relations    16   Current Debates: Affirmative Action, Immigration, and Race Versus Class   

About the Author :
John E. Farley is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where for nearly thirty years he taught a wide range of courses, including many years of teaching the race and ethnic relations course. He conducted his undergraduate studies at Michigan State University, where he received a B.A. in political science. He continued his studies at the University of Michigan, where he received an M.A. and a Ph.D. in sociology, as well as the master of urban planning degree.   He is also the author of Sociology, Fifth Edition (Prentice Hall, 2003). He is an active researcher in urban sociology and race and ethnic relations, and his articles have appeared in the American Journal of Sociology, Social Science Research, the American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Urban Affairs Review, The Sociological Quarterly, Contexts, and a number of other journals. He also regularly presents the results of his research at professional meetings, and has addressed such meetings in Canada, Sweden and Germany as well as throughout the United States. He headed a research team studying public response to Iben Browning’s prediction of an earthquake in the Midwest in 1990, and he was editor of a special issue of the nternational Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters on that topic. His book, Earthquake Fears, Predictions, and Preparations in Mid-America, which reports the results of the three-year study, was published by Southern Illinois University Press in 1998. Dr. Farley has conducted research on racial housing segregation based on each U.S. census from 1980 through 2000. He has received research grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Mental Health, and SIUE’s Graduate School and Institute for Urban Research.   Professor Farley has received a number of awards for his work, including the SIUE Outstanding Scholar Award for his research on race relations and racial housing segregation, the SIUE Kimmell Community Service Award for his efforts in creating a fair housing organization in the St. Louis metropolitan area, and SIUE’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., University Humanitarian Award for his efforts in the community. He has served as president of the SIUE Faculty Senate, the Illinois Sociological Association, the Midwest Sociological Society, and the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council, which presented him with its Open Doors Award in 2008 for his work promoting fair housing. Dr. Farley enjoys fishing, snow skiing, travel, and nature and weather photography, especially when sharing these activities with his wife, Alice and his daughter, Megan. In 2004, he became a grandfather, and now has two grandchildren.  

Review :
“The Farley text is different in that it begins from a much broader perspective of understanding race as a social, cultural, and historical variable.  Granted, it is necessary to break down any discussion of different racial and ethnic groups, but the Farley text does it in a way that keeps the broader picture and structure of race in context and plain view.” Michael Stewart, Florida State University   “I find the text to be very accurate and solid in terms of addressing the material in a straightforward, scholarly way.” Michael Stewart, Florida State University   “The scope of this text is impressive and I would be surprised if any instructor could not find at least a few examples of what he or she deems `necessary’.” Dr. Cory Blad, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville   “This text does a great job of building the foundation for consideration of majority-minority relations.  It then does a great job of elaborating into different issues that are relevant to a thorough understanding of majority-minority relations.” Juanita Ortiz, University of Oklahoma   [Regarding boxed features] “They are interesting and engaging.  Improve them by adding more!” Juanita Ortiz, University of Oklahoma   “This book is scholarly, thorough, and highly relevant to contemporary society.” Dr. Judy Morelock, The University of Tennessee