Macionis's Social Problems is the only social problems text that explains how society frames social problems and solutions through politics. The text analyzes social issues and policies, using the concepts of sociological theory and the everyday language of politics.
This text helps students understand the attitudes and values that define the political spectrum in the United States. Once students know how social problems are defined by our society through politics, and how the policies to solve these problems are developed, students are able to become involved in solving social problems through activism and political involvement.
Table of Contents:
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I: Sociology’s Basic Approach
Chapter 1 Sociology: Studying Social Problems
Part II: Problems of Social Inequality
Chapter 2 Poverty and Wealth
Chapter 3 Racial and Ethnic Inequality
Chapter 4 Gender Inequality
Chapter 5 Aging and Inequality
Part III: Problems of Deviance, Conformity, and Well-Being Chapter 6 Crime, Violence, and Criminal Justice
Chapter 7 Sexuality
Chapter 8 Alcohol and Other Drugs
Chapter 9 Physical and Mental Health
Part IV: Problems of Social Institutions
Chapter 10 Economy and Politics
Chapter 11 Work and the Workplace
Chapter 12 Family Life
Chapter 13 Education
Chapter 14 Urban Life
Chapter 15: Population and Global Inequality
Chapter 16: Technology and the Environment
Chapter 17: War and Terrorism
COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS
* Every chapter ends with:
Going On from Here
Defining Solutions
Getting Involved: Applications & Exercises
Making the Grade Visual Summary Sample Test Questions
Preface
Part I: Sociology’s Basic Approach
Chapter 1: Sociology: Studying Social Problems
Constructing the Social Problem
Seeing Patterns: The Sociological Imagination
Social Problems: The Basics
Beyond Our Borders: A Global Perspective
Analyzing Social Problems: Sociological Theory
Finding the Facts: Sociological Research
Responding to Social Problems: Social Policy
Politics: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
A Call to Action: The Message of Martin Luther King Jr.
Part II: Problems of Social Inequality
Chapter 2: Poverty and Wealth
Constructing the Social Problem
Economic Inequality in the United States
The Rich and the Poor: A Social Profile
Problems Linked to Poverty
Responding to Poverty: The Welfare System
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
U.S. Society Discovers Poverty
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Poverty
Politics and Poverty: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Chapter 3: Racial and Ethnic Inequality
Constructing the Social Problem
Race and Ethnicity
Patterns of Majority-Minority Interaction
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
Rosa Parks: Saying No to Segregation
The Social Standing of U.S. Minorities
Prejudice
Discrimination
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Racial and Ethnic Inequality
Politics, Race, and Ethnicity: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Chapter 4: Gender Inequality
Constructing the Social Problem
What Is Gender?
Gender and Social Institutions
Gender Stratification
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Gender Inequality
Feminism
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Claiming Women’s Right to Equality
Politics and Gender: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Chapter 5: Aging and Inequality
Constructing the Social Problem
Growing Old
The Graying of the United States
Problems of Aging
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
A Good Death: Cicely Saunders and Hospice
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Aging and Inequality
Politics and Aging: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Part III: Problems of Deviance, Conformity, and Well-Being
Chapter 6: Crime, Violence, and Criminal Justice
Constructing the Social Problem
Norms, Law, and Crime
Crime: The Extent of the Problem
“Street Crime”: Who Are the Criminals?
Other Dimensions of the Crime Problem
Violence
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
U.S. Society Discovers Child Abuse
The Criminal Justice System
Explaining Crime: Biological and Psychological Theories
Explaining Crime: Sociological Theories
Politics and Crime: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Chapter 7: Sexuality
Constructing the Social Problem
What Is Sex?
Sexual Attitudes in the United States
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
Alfred Kinsey: Talking Openly about Sex
Sexual Orientation
Pornography
Sexual Harassment
Prostitution
Teenage Pregnancy
Abortion
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Sexuality
Politics and Sexuality: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Chapter 8: Alcohol and Other Drugs
Constructing the Social Problem
What Is a Drug?
The Extent of Drug Use
Types of Drugs
Drugs and Other Social Problems
Social Policy: Responding to the Drug Problem
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
Bill Wilson: Alcoholics Can Learn to Be Sober
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Drug-Related Social Problems
Politics and Drugs: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Chapter 9: Physical and Mental Health
Constructing the Social Problem
Health and Illness: A Global Perspective
Health Policy: Paying for Care
Health Care in the United States: A System in Crisis?
Mental Health and Illness
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
Dorothea Dix: Mentally Ill People Deserve Our Help
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Health Problems
Politics and Health: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Part IV: Problems of Social Institutions
Chapter 10: Economy and Politics
Constructing the Social Problem
Economic Systems: Defining Justice, Defining Problems
The Economy and Politics
Problems of the U.S. Political Economy
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
Store Wars: Is Wal-Mart the Problem or the Solution?
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Economic and Political Problems
Politics and the Economy: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Chapter 11: Work and the Workplace
Constructing the Social Problem
The Importance of Work
Structural Changes in the U.S. Economy
Other Problems of the U.S. Workplace
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
Eugene Debs: Standing Up for the Union
New Information Technology: The Brave New Workplace
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Work-Related Problems
Politics and the Workplace: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Chapter 12: Family Life
Constructing the Social Problem
What Is a Family?
Controversies over Family Life
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
Same-Sex Marriage: The Massachusetts Decision
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Family Problems
Politics and Family Life: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Chapter 13: Education
Constructing the Social Problem
Problems of Education: A Global Perspective
Problems with U.S. Education
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
Linda Brown: Fighting to Desegregate the Schools
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Educational Problems
Politics and Education: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Chapter 14: Urban Life
Constructing the Social Problem
Cities: Then and Now
Problems of Today’s Cities
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
Jacob Riis: Revealing the Horror of the Tenements [change Horror to Misery?]
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Urban Problems
Politics and Urban Life: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Part V: Global Problems
Chapter 15: Population and Global Inequality
Constructing the Social Problem
Global Population Increase
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
Thomas Robert Malthus: Claiming Population Is a Problem [delete Claiming?]
Global Inequality
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Global Inequality
Politics and Global Inequality: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Chapter 16: Technology and the Environment
Constructing the Social Problem
Ecology: Studying the Natural Environment
Environmental Problems
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
Rachel Carson: Sounding an Environmental Wake-Up Call
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding Environmental Problems
Politics and the Environment: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Chapter 17: War and Terrorism
Constructing the Social Problem
War and Peace: Basic Definitions
Terrorism
Constructing the Social Problem: A Defining Moment
Mohandas Gandhi: Spreading a Message of Peace
Theoretical Analysis: Understanding War and Terrorism
Politics and War: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
Glossary
References
Photo Credits
About the Author
Name Index
Subject Index
About the Author :
John J. Macionis was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a doctorate in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania.
John Macionis' publications are wide-ranging, focusing on community life in the United States, interpersonal intimacy in families, effective teaching, humor, new information technology, and the importance of global education.
In addition, John Macionis and Nijole V. Benokraitis have edited the best-selling anthology Seeing Ourselves: Classic, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural Readings in Sociology. Macionis and Vincent Parrillo have written the leading urban studies text, Cities and Urban Life (Pearson). Macionis’ most recent textbook is Social Problems (Pearson).
John Macionis is Professor and Distinguished Scholar of Sociology at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where he has taught for almost thirty years. During that time, he has chaired the Sociology Department, directed the college’s multidisciplinary program in humane studies, presided over the campus senate and the college’s faculty, and taught sociology to thousands of students.
In 2002, the American Sociological Association presented Macionis with the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching, citing his innovative use of global material as well as the introduction of new teaching technology in his textbooks.
Professor Macionis has been active in academic programs in other countries, having traveled to some fifty nations. He writes, “I am an ambitious traveler, eager to learn and, through the texts, to share much of what I discover with students, many of whom know little about the rest of the world. For me, traveling and writing are all dimensions of teaching. First, and foremost, I am a teacher—a passion for teaching animates everything I do.”
At Kenyon, Macionis teaches a number of courses, but his favorite class is Introduction to Sociology, which he offers every semester. He enjoys extensive contact with students and invites everyone enrolled in each of his classes to enjoy a home-cooked meal.
The Macionis family—John, Amy, and children McLean and Whitney—live on a farm in rural Ohio. In his free time, Macionis enjoys tennis, swimming, hiking, and playing oldies rock-and-roll (he recently released his first CD). Macionis is as an environmental activist in the Lake George region of New York’s Adirondack Mountains, working with a number of organizations, including the Lake George Land Conservancy, where he serves as president of the board of trustees.
Review :
General Thoughts
"I prefer to relate text topics to current events both local and global. This text does a nice job of including topics that would provide fodder for good discussion and bring reality to the classroom."
Linda Aaberg, Hennepin Technical College
“I would recommend this book to anyone. The book introduces some very thought-provoking ideas and is comparable to life as a whole. I believe the author has done an excellent job with presenting the ideas of sociology from a social construct point of view. It is very up-to-date and I will be using it in the future.”
Christina Cowen, Wayne State University
Writing Style
“This is a text that I have been using for the past 5 years [the third edition]. I would not use any other social problems book. This text really teaches students about the social problems from many different perspectives. Excellent book to use”
Deidre Tyler, Salt Lake Community College
“Macionis has written this text with the student in mind. He does not talk down to the student, nor does he try to beat the student over the head with the material. He writes with respect, but also with a sincere desire to teach and inform the student…Macionis strikes a good balance.”
Dr. Clay A Hipke, University of Florida
“…this is a well done social problems text and I believe sincerely that virtually any professor could use this to good effect independently of how they structure their course.”
Craig M. Eckert, Eastern Illinois University
“The text is readable and easy to follow for students, and is presented in a way to encourage them to critically think, engage in the learning process, and make meaningful real-life connections.”
Dr. Jewrell Rivers, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
“The author has a unique writing style in which a first year student can comprehend the materials and follow along with a veteran instructor. The material is college level appropriate without being biased, blameful, and narrow.”
Christina Cowen, Wayne State University
Organization
“I am very impressed with the organizational scheme of the text. It is very sound and logical in order.”
Dr. Jewrell Rivers, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
“I think as an introductory text to sociology this is fair and balanced. Given the structure of the text and the internal connections, the author has already accomplished a great teaching resource.”
Black Hawk Hancock, DePaul University
Diversity
“The diversity issues discussed in the text are exemplary.”
Christina Cowen, Wayne State University
Charts and Tables
“The charts and tables are excellent. In fact, they are one of the better features of the text.”
Dr. Clay A. Hipke, University of Florida
“Getting Involved” Feature
“This pedagogical element is most useful because it provides specific `point questions’ that allow for critical thinking as students read through the text and review key concepts.”
Dr. Jewrell Rivers, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
