Synopses & Reviews
Like its predecessors, the seventh edition of this text reflects Rick Schaefer's mission to bring readers a comprehensive, up-to-date presentation that teaches them how to think critically about society and their own lives from a wide range of classical and contemporary perspectives. Combining balanced coverage of theory with current research findings, distinctive social policy sections, examples of interest to students, and abundant learning aids and exercises, this text will help students develop a sociological imagination. An optional package combines Schaefer, Sociology, Seventh Edition and Reel Society Interactive Movie 2.0 CD-ROM at nominal extra cost.
"The introductory sociology class provides the ideal laboratory in which to study our own society and those of our global neighbors. The distinctive emphasis on social policy found in this text shows students how to use the sociological imagination in examining such public policy issues as sexual harassment, the AIDS crisis, welfare reform, the death penalty, and the offshoring of service jobs." Richard T. Schaefer
About the Author
Growing up in Chicago at a time when neighborhoods were going through transitions in ethnic and racial composition, Richard T. Schaefer found himself increasingly intrigued by what was happening, how people were reacting, and how these changes were affecting neighborhoods and peoples jobs. His interest in social issues caused him to gravitate to sociology courses at Northwestern University, where he received a B.A. in Sociology. "Originally as an undergraduate I thought I would go on to law school and become a lawyer. But after taking a few sociology courses, I found myself wanting to learn more about what sociologists studied and fascinated by the kinds of questions they raised." This fascination led him to obtain his M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago. Dr. Schaefers continuing interest in race relations led him to write his masters thesis on the membership of the Ku Klux Klan and his doctoral thesis on racial prejudice and race relations in Great Britain.Dr. Schaefer went on to become a professor of sociology. He has taught introductory sociology for 30 years to students in colleges, adult education programs, nursing programs, and even a maximum-security prison. Dr. Schaefers love of teaching is apparent in his interaction with his students. "I find myself constantly learning from the students who are in my classes and from reading what they write. Their insights into the material we read or current events that we discuss often become part of future course material and sometimes even find their way into my writing."Dr. Schaefer is author of the third edition of Sociology: A Brief Introduction (McGraw-Hill, 2000). Dr. Schaefer is also the author of Racial and Ethnic Groups now in its eighth edition, and Race and Ethnicity in the United States, second edition. His articles and book reviews have appeared in many journals, including American Journal of Sociology, Phylon: A Review of Race and Culture, Contemporary Sociology, Sociology and Social Research, Sociological Quarterly, and Teaching Sociology. He served as president of the Midwest Sociological Society in 1994-1995.Dr. Schaefers advice to students is to "look at the material and make connections to your own life and experiences. Sociology will make you a more attentive observer of how people in groups interact and function. It will also make you more aware of peoples different needs and interests and perhaps more ready to work for the common good, while still recognizing the individuality of each person."
Table of Contents
Brief Table Of Contents
Chapter 1. Understanding SociologyChapter 2. Sociological ResearchChapter 3. CultureChapter 4. SocializationChapter 5. Social Interaction, Groups, and Social StructureChapter 6. The Mass MediaChapter 7. Deviance and Social ControlChapter 8. Stratification and Social Mobility in the United StatesChapter 9. Global InequalityChapter 10. Racial and Ethnic InequalityChapter 11. Stratification by Gender and AgeChapter 12. The Family and Intimate RelationshipsChapter 13. Religion and EducationChapter 14. Government and the EconomyChapter 15. Population, Communities, and HealthChapter 16. Globalization, the Environment, and Social Change
Detailed Table of Contents
1. Understanding Sociology What Is Sociology? The Sociological Imagination Photo Essay: Are You What You Own? Sociology and the Social Sciences Sociology and Common Sense What Is Sociological Theory? The Development of Sociology Early Thinkers Émile Durkheim Max Weber Karl Marx Modern Developments Major Theoretical Perspectives Functionalist Perspective Conflict Perspective Interactionist Perspective The Sociological Approach Research in Action: Looking at Sports from Three Theoretical Perspectives Applied and Clinical Sociology Developing a Sociological Imagination Theory in Practice Research in Action Thinking Globally The Significance of Social Inequality Sociology in the Global Community: The Global Response to the 2004 Tsunami Speaking across Race, Gender, and Religious BoundariesSocial Policy throughout the World Appendix: Careers in Sociology 2. Sociological Research What Is the Scientific Method? Defining the Problem Reviewing the Literature Formulating the Hypothesis Collecting and Analyzing Data Developing the Conclusion In Summary: The Scientific MethodMajor Research Designs Surveys Research in Action: Polling in Baghdad Observation Experiments Social Inequality: Researching Privilege and Discrimination in Employment Use of Existing Sources Research in Action: Whats in a Name? Ethics of Research Confidentiality Research Funding Value Neutrality Technology and Sociological Research Taking Sociology to Work: Dave Eberbach, Research Coordinator, United Way of Central Iowa Social Policy and Sociological Research: Studying Human Sexuality Appendix I Using Statistics, Tables, and Graphs Appendix II Writing a Research Report 3. Culture Culture and Society Photo Essay: Are You What You Eat? Development of Culture around the World Cultural Universals Innovation Globalization, Diffusion, and TechnologySociology in the Global Community: Life in the Global Village Biological Bases of Culture Sociology in the Global Community: Cultural Survival in Brazil Elements of Culture Language Norms Sanctions Values Sociology on Campus: A Culture of Cheating? Culture and the Dominant Ideology Cultural Variation Aspects of Cultural Variation Attitudes toward Cultural Variation Social Policy and Culture: Bilingualism 4. Socialization The Role of Socialization Social Environment: The Impact of Isolation The Influence of Heredity The Self and Socialization Sociological Approaches to the Self Sociology on Campus: Impression Management by StudentsPsychological Approaches to the Self Socialization and the Life Course The Life Course Anticipatory Socialization and Resocialization Agents of Socialization Family Sociology in the Global Community: Raising Amish ChildrenTaking Sociology to Work: Rakefet Avramovitz, Program Administrator, Child Care Law Center School Peer Group Mass Media and Technology Workplace Religion and the State Social Policy and Socialization: Child Care around the World 5. Social Interaction, Groups, and Social StructureSocial Interaction and Reality Statuses Ascribed and Achieved Status Master Status Social Inequality: Disability as a Master Status Social Roles What Are Social Roles? Role Conflict Role Strain Role Exit Photo Essay: Why Do We Gather Together? Groups Primary and Secondary Groups In-Groups and Out-Groups Reference Groups Coalitions Social Networks Research in Action: Adolescent Sexual Networks Social Institutions Functionalist View Conflict View Interactionist View Social Structure in Global Perspective Durkheims Mechanical and Organic Solidarity Tönniess Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft Lenskis Sociocultural Evolution Approach Understanding Organizations Formal Organizations and Bureaucracies Characteristics of a Bureaucracy Sociology in the Global Community: McDonalds and the Worldwide Bureaucratization of Society Bureaucracy and Organizational Culture The Changing Workplace Organizational Restructuring Telecommuting Electronic Communication Social Policy and Organizations: The State of the Unions6. The Mass MediaSociological Perspectives on the Media Functionalist View Photo Essay: How Does Television Portray the Family?Conflict View Social Inequality: The Color of Network TV Feminist View Interactionist View The Audience Who Is in the Audience? The Segmented Audience Audience Behavior The Media Industry Media Concentration The Medias Global Reach Sociology in the Global Community: Al Jazeera Is on the Air Social Policy and the Mass Media: Media Violence 7. Deviance and Social ControlSocial Control Conformity and Obedience Informal and Formal Social Control Sociology on Campus: Binge Drinking Law and Society Deviance What Is Deviance? Photo Essay: Who Is Deviant? Explaining Deviance Research in Action: Road Rage Crime Types of Crime Taking Sociology to Work: Tiffany Zapata-Mancilla, Victim Witness Specialist, Cook County States Attorneys Office Crime Statistics Social Policy and Social Control: The Death Penalty in the United States and Worldwide 8. Stratification and Social Mobility in the United StatesUnderstanding Stratification Systems of Stratification Research in Action: The Shrinking Middle Class Perspectives on Stratification Is Stratification Universal? Stratification by Social Class Measuring Social Class Wealth and Income Poverty Sociology in the Global Community: Its All Relative: Appalachian Poverty and Congolese Affluence Life Chances Sociology on Campus: Social Class and Financial Aid Social Mobility Open versus Closed Stratification Systems Types of Social Mobility Social Mobility in the United States Social Policy and Stratification: Rethinking Welfare in North America and Europe 9. Global InequalityThe Global Divide Stratification in the World System The Legacy of Colonialism Multinational Corporations Worldwide Poverty Sociology in the Global Community: Cutting Poverty Worldwide Modernization Sociology in the Global Community: The Global DisconnectStratification within Nations: A Comparative PerspectiveSocial Inequality: Stratification in Japan Distribution of Wealth and Income Social Mobility Case Study: Stratification in Mexico Mexicos Economy Race Relations in Mexico: The Color Hierarchy The Status of Women in Mexico The Borderlands Social Policy and Global Inequality: Universal Human Rights10. Racial and Ethnic InequalityMinority, Racial, and Ethnic Groups Minority Groups Race Ethnicity Prejudice and Discrimination Prejudice Discriminatory Behavior The Privileges of the Dominant Institutional Discrimination Taking Sociology to Work: Prudence Hannis, Liaison Officer, National Institute of Science Research, University of Québec Studying Race and Ethnicity Functionalist Perspective Conflict Perspective Interactionist Perspective Research in Action: Interracial and Interethnic Friendships Patterns of Intergroup Relations Amalgamation Assimilation Segregation Pluralism Impact of Global Immigration Race and Ethnicity in the United States Racial Groups Social Inequality: Native Americans Gamble on GamingEthnic Groups Social Policy and Race and Ethnicity: Racial Profiling11. Stratification by Gender and AgeSocial Construction of Gender Gender Roles in the United States Cross-Cultural Perspective Explaining Stratification by Gender