Exam Copy Version

Known for it's unique blend of style and substance, this complete yet manageable introduction to sociology uses a balanced and systematic application of sociological theory to help students see the difference between myths and realities about society.

Topics new to the Sixth Edition include:

• The section on U.S. class structure in Chapter 7 has been revised to make more of a distinction between upper middle class and middle class and offers more focus on the plight of the working poor.
• New social maps, figures, and tables show the following: women's participation in the Olympics (Chapter 1), the vocabulary of teen-speak (Chapter 3), parental concern about risk-taking behavior by their teenage children (Chapter 3), global Internet usage (Chapter 4), the military as both a coercive and normative organization (Chapter 5), U.S. class structure (Chapter 7), and world-wide deaths from smoking (Chapter 13).
• New discussions of suicide bombings (Chapter 6), post-9/11 threats to civil rights and privacy (Chapter 5), and the University of Michigan Affirmative Action case (Chapter 8 ).

Student Copy Version

Students, study smarter–not harder–with these grade-boosting supplements from Allyn and Bacon!

Study Guide

Featuring journal activities, key term crosswords, and self-tests with answer justifications, the Study Guide will help you prepare for quizzes and exams. Also includes Flashcards of the key terms for every chapter.

Companion Website

Visit http://www.ablongman.com/thio6e today to take your learning a step beyond the pages of your text. Brush up on key concepts for each chapter with learning objectives, interactive practice quizzes, Web links, and more.

Sociology: A Brief Introduction, 7/E

Alex Thio, Ohio University

ISBN-10:      0205547095

Unique for its blend of style and substance, this introductory text uses a balanced and systematic application of sociological theory throughout to help students see the difference between myths and realities about society.

Highlights of the new edition

Four new sections in each chapter examine sociology’s connection to the world around us:

• Sociological Frontier analyzes current social changes and trends.  (For example: “Who Gets Tattoos and Why?”)
• Current Events looks at recent world events through a sociological lens. (For example: “The War Trauma in Women Soldiers.”)
• Today's Controversy investigates controversial issues in contemporary society. (For example: “Is the U.S. Losing Its World Leadership?”)
• For a Better Life uses insights from sociology to show how we can improve our lives. (For example:  “Unleash the Power of Nice.”)

Alex Thio is Professor of Sociology at Ohio University. Born of Chinese parentage in Penang, Malaysia, he grew up in a multicultural environment. He acquired fluency in Mandarin (modern standard Chinese), Malay, and Indonesian. He also picked up a smattering of English and Dutch. He took French and German in high school and college.

Professor Thio attended primary school in Malaysia and high school in Indonesia. He then came to the United States and worked his way through Central Methodist College in Missouri, where he majored in social sciences. Later, he studied sociology as a graduate student at the State University of New York at Buffalo, and he completed his doctorate while working as a research and teaching assistant.

Professor Thio regularly teaches courses in deviance, introductory sociology, social problems, and criminology. In addition to teaching, he enjoys writing. He is the author of the Sociology: A Brief Introduction, Society: Myths and Realities (Penguin Academic), and Deviant Behavior.

Brief Table of Contents:

1. The Essence of Sociology.

2. Society and Culture.

3. Socialization.

4. Social Interaction in Everyday Life.

5. Groups and Organizations.

6. Deviance and Control.

7. U.S. and Global Stratification.

8. Race and Ethnicity.

9. Gender and Age.

10. Families.

11. Education and Religion.

12. The Economy and Politics.

13. Health and Population.

14. Environment and Urbanization.

15. Collective Behavior, Social Movements, and Social Change.

Glossary.

References.

Name Index.

Subject Index.