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--For undergraduate survey courses in social problems.
Features an applied approach that looks at the interplay between research and policy in finding solutions, along with a built-in student study guide.
Sullivan’s Introduction to Social Problems explores the nature and extent of social problems, documents the advances and setbacks that we have made as a society, and analyzes what works and what doesn't work regarding solutions to today's problems. The author, an applied sociologist, shows how scientific research is used to address and correct some of the most difficult and controversial problems confronting the United States and the world today.
Note: MySearchLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MySearchLab, please visit: www.mysearchlab.com or you can purchase a ValuePack of the text + MySearchLab with Pearson eText (at no additional cost). ValuePack ISBN-10: 020586354X / ValuePack ISBN-13: 9780205863549
Table of Contents:
IN THIS SECTION:
1. BRIEF
2. COMPREHENSIVE
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:
CHAPTER 1: Approaches to the Study of Social Problems
CHAPTER 2: Growth of Corporate and Government Power
CHAPTER 3: Family-Related Problems
CHAPTER 4: Health and Illness
CHAPTER 5: Education, Science, and Technology
CHAPTER 6: Poverty
CHAPTER 7: Race and Ethnic Relations
CHAPTER 8: Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Social Inequality
CHAPTER 9: Age And Social Inequality
CHAPTER 10: Crime and Delinquency
CHAPTER 11: Alcohol and Other Drugs
CHAPTER 12: Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Trade
CHAPTER 13: Population Growth and Urbanization
CHAPTER 14: Environmental Problems
CHAPTER 15: Violence, War, and Terrorism
COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Contents
Preface
About the Author
CHAPTER 1: Approaches to the Study of Social Problems
What Is a Social Problem?
Theoretical Perspectives on Social Problems
Research on Social Problems
APPLIED RESEARCH: Untangling Myths and Facts About Social Problems
Future Prospects: Solving Social Problems
POLICY ISSUES: Domestic Violence: How to Intervene? Study and Review
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
CHAPTER 2: Growth of Corporate and Government Power
Types of Economic Systems
MYTHS AND FACTS: About Business and Government
The Concentration of Economic and Political Power
Perspectives on the Concentration of Power
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Global Economic Concentration
APPLIED RESEARCH Corporate Concentration and Globalization of the Media Problems Created by the Concentration of Power
Future Prospects
Policy issues What Role Should the Government Play in the Global Economy? Study and Review
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
CHAPTER 3: Family-Related Problems
The Family in Society
MYTHS AND FACTS About the Family
APPLIED RESEARCH Day Care: Problem or Solution?
Attitudes Toward Marriage and the Family
Divorce
Diverse Family Lifestyles
Violence in the Family POLICY ISSUES Should Gay and Lesbian Families Be Legitimized?
Constructing Family Problems: Media Images Future Prospects
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Families and Children in Other Societies Study and Review
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
CHAPTER 4: Health and Illness
Perspectives on Health Care
MYTHS AND FACTS About Health and Health Care
Health, Illness, and Society APPLIED RESEARCH Combating the Spread of AIDS
Mental Illness
Problems in Health Care Bioethics: Technology and Health
Future Prospects
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Paying for Health Care in Other Societies
POLICY ISSUES Should Health Care Be for Profit?
Study and Review
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
CHAPTER 5: Education, Science, and Technology
MYTHS AND FACTS About Education, Science, and Technology
Growth of Education and Technology
Perspectives on Education, Science, and Technology
Problems in Education APPLIED RESEARCH Evaluating the Equality of Educational Opportunities in the United States
Problems of Science and Technology Future Prospects
POLICY ISSUES Biotechnology Raises the Issue: Whose Life Is It, Anyway?
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Education in Other Societies
Study and Review
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
CHAPTER 6: Poverty
The Extent of Poverty
MYTHS AND FACTS About the Poor
Who Are the Poor?
The Causes of Poverty
APPLIED RESEARCH Structural Sources of Entrenched Poverty
Future Prospects POLICY ISSUES Welfare Reform: How Well Is It Working?
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Poverty and Welfare in Other Societies
Study and Review
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
CHAPTER 7: Race and Ethnic Relations
Minority Groups
MYTHS AND FACTS About Race and Ethnicity
Sources of Prejudice and Discrimination
Racial and Ethnic Minorities in the United States
APPLIED RESEARCH Combating Prejudice and Discrimination
Future Prospects
POLICY ISSUES Should the Government Intervene to Improve Opportunities for Minorities? INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Switzerland: Cooperation in a Multiethnic Society
Study and Review
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
CHAPTER 8: Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Social Inequality
Men and Women in Society
MYTHS AND FACTS About Gender Inequality
The Socialization of Men and Women
APPLIED RESEARCH Fighting Sexism in Higher Education
The Extent of Gender Inequality in the United States
A Global Perspective on Gender Inequality
Homosexuality and Homophobia
Future Prospects
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES The Treatment of Women in Other Societies
POLICY ISSUES Fighting Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Study and Review Researching Social Problems on the Internet
CHAPTER 9: Age And Social Inequality
Age, Life Course, and Social Structure
MYTHS AND FACTS About Age and Sexual Orientation
Problems of the Young
APPLIED RESEARCH How Well Off Are Children and Youth in the United States? Problems of the Elderly
Future Prospects
POLICY ISSUES Should Medicare or Social Security Be Based on Age Rather than Need?
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Public and Familial Assistance for the Elderly in Other Societies Study and Review
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
CHAPTER 10: Crime and Delinquency
Explanations of Crime
MYTHS AND FACTS About Crime
Types of Crime
Who Are the Criminals?
The Criminal Justice System
APPLIED RESEARCH Does the Death Penalty Deter Crime? POLICY ISSUES Should States Let Private Companies Run Correctional Facilities?
Future Prospects
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Crime in Other Societies
Study and Review Researching Social Problems on the Internet
CHAPTER 11: Alcohol and Other Drugs
Drugs and Their Consequences
MYTHS AND FACTS About Drug Abuse
The Extent of Drug Abuse in the United States
APPLIED RESEARCH Discovering the Role of Drugs in Crime and Violence
Explanations of Drug Abuse
Future Prospects INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES The Political Economy of the Global Drug Trade
POLICY ISSUES Should Drug Use Be Decriminalized in the United States?
Study and Review Researching Social Problems on the Internet
CHAPTER 12: Prostitution, Pornography, and the Sex Trade
Variety in Human Sexuality
MYTHS AND FACTS About Prostitution and Pornography
Prostitution
Pornography INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES The Global Sex Industry
Perspectives on Sexual Deviance
APPLIED RESEARCH Does Pornography Lead to Violence Against Women? Future Prospects
POLICY ISSUES How Should We Regulate Pornography in an Internet and Cell Phone World?
Study and Review
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
CHAPTER 13: Population Growth and Urbanization
MYTHS AND FACTS About Population Growth and Urbanization
Population Growth
The Growth of Cities
Perspectives on Population and Urban Problems
Consequences of World Population Growth
Problems in Cities of the United States
APPLIED RESEARCH Working to Improve Urban Life Future Prospects
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Population Policy and Family Planning in China POLICY ISSUES Should the Government Regulate Growth and Development in Urban Areas?
Study and Review
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
CHAPTER 14: Environmental Problems
The Ecosystem
MYTHS AND FACTS About the Environment
Social Sources of Environmental Problems
Perspectives on Environmental Problems
The Social Construction of Environmental Problems Extent of Environmental Problems
APPLIED RESEARCH Assessing the Extent of Environmental Justice: Race, Class, and Pollution
Future Prospects
POLICY ISSUES Do We Need Government Regulation to Control Environmental Problems? INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES Environmental Practices and Policies in Other Societies
Study and Review
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
CHAPTER 15: Violence, War, and Terrorism
The Extent of Violence
MYTHS AND FACTS About Collective Violence and War
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES The Global Arms Trade and the Military–Industrial Complex
Explanations of Collective Violence and War
APPLIED RESEARCH The Social Roots of Terrorist Violence
The Consequences of War and Terrorism
Future Prospects POLICY ISSUES War and Terrorism in a Nuclear Age
Study and Review
Researching Social Problems on the Internet
About the Author :
Thomas J. Sullivan is Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Social Work at Northern Michigan University, specializing in social psychology, research methods, applied sociology, and medical sociology. He earned his undergraduate degree in sociology from San Francisco State University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is the author of Sociology: Concepts and Applications in a Diverse World, 8th ed. (Allyn and Bacon, 2009), Methods of Social Research (Wadsworth, 2001), and Applied Sociology: Research and Critical Thinking (Allyn & Bacon, 1992); he is the co-author of Applied Social Research: Tool for the Human Services, 8th ed. (Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, 2011). He has published articles in Social Science and Medicine and Humboldt Journal of Social Relations. His applied research has focused on evaluation research of social service delivery in elementary schools and of teen pregnancy prevention and intervention services. He has served in various elected and appointed positions for the American Sociological Association, the Society for Applied Sociology, and the Midwest Sociological Society.
Review :
Thank you to our reviewers!
Anna Hall, Delgado Community College
Mitch Swatez, College of the Redwoods
"The book covers the right topics for the course. It is logically organized. I am very impressed with the author's ability to present concepts and various perspectives in an illuminating way."
Mitch Swatez, College of the Redwoods
