Essentials of Sociology

9780130456038

0130456039

Sociology is about connections. The groups in which we live--our families, our peer groups, or our societies--connect us to one another in profound ways. We are also connected by the explosion of information technology and the Internet, still in its infancy, that has transformed the globe. At the same time, our membership in these groups creates a diversity that helps us explore and celebrate how and why we are different from people in other groups. We are diverse because we are female or male, African American or Native American, rich or poor, young or old, gay or straight. We are also diverse because we are Catholic or Muslim, urban or rural, born in the developed or developing world. Diversity is what's happening globally as well as in the United States. Groups are more diverse yet more connected to one another than at any other time in human history.Essentials of Sociologyemphasizes this reality and encourages students to grasp the three-dimensional nature of these connections. The fundamental goal of the text is to take students on a sociological journey through the United States and across the globe that clearly shows how social diversity and social connections intersect their daily lives. TEXT FEATURES Students become excited about sociology through the introductory course. We have developed a text that forges a partnership between professors who teach the course and their students, who are its ultimate beneficiaries. Through its distinctive approach to the field, its readability and its relevance to students' lives,Essentials of Sociologyassists professors in developing the sociological imagination in their students by encouraging them to see all dimensions of sociology. Material is presented in ways that allow students to become active learners and help professors translate the sociological perspective to the classroom. In telling sociology's story to students, each author brings over 20 years of teaching the introductory sociology course to a variety of students, in large and small classes, and at a variety of institutions. The text, therefore, is grounded in teaching. The following text features demonstrate this foundation. Intersection of Race, Class, and Gender.The key elements of society--race, class, and gender--are intertwined and inseparable. Our combined experiences contribute to our view of the world and to how we interact with others. The growing theoretical concept of "intersections" is used throughout the book to highlight the cumulative effect of our diversity within society. Diversity within the United States is stressed, but no complete view of diversity can be seen without the contributions of cultures across the world. Theoretical Applications.Theory is the core of sociology. The major sociological perspectives are introduced in Chapter 1 and are applied throughout the text.Essentials of Sociologyreflects an expanded discussion of the feminist theoretical perspective and includes it throughout the text to extend coverage and explanations of diversity. Most chapters feature separate theory sections integrated with many research examples. Theoretical perspectives are applied repeatedly throughout the text. This approach helps students make connections between theory and their own lives, as reflected in the text's discussion of human sexuality (Chapter 5) and deviant behavior (Chapter 6). This text is thus both student friendly and sociologically rigorous. Life Connections.Focusing on diversity, all chapters have a "Life Connections" section highlighting recent research on multicultural life in the United States. This material was carefully chosen to reflect the latest trends in the various social institutions that are especially relevant for college students. Topics include American socialization through family, peers, and media; how gender, race, and class affect socialization; college li