Synopses & Reviews
Mooney, Knox, and Schacht's UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL PROBLEMS uses a theoretically balanced approach, student-centered approach to provide a comprehensive exploration of social problems. The text progresses from a micro- to macro-level of analysis, focusing first on such problems as illness and health care, drugs and alcohol, and family problems, and then broadening to the larger issues of poverty and inequality, population growth, environmental problems, and conflict around the world. The social problem in each chapter is framed in a global as well as U.S. context. In every chapter, the three major theoretical perspectives are applied to the social problem under discussion, and the consequences of the problem, as well as alternative solutions, are explored. Pedagogical features such as "The Human Side" and "Self and Society" enable you to grasp how social problems affect the lives of individuals and apply your understanding of social problems to your own life.
Review
"Essentially it is what I want to teach my students and what I want them to learn."
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"...it is a complete text, with many overarching themes (among chapters) that can be related to and discussed all semester."
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"Comprehensive, thorough, easily understood, adaptable."
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"The authors do an excellent job incorporating the three major sociological theories in each chapter along with a discuss on research methods."
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"Outstanding!"
About the Author
Linda A. Mooney, Ph.D., is an associate professor of sociology at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. In addition to social problems, her specialties include law, criminology, and juvenile delinquency. She has published over 30 professional articles in such journals as SOCIAL FORCES, SOCIOLOGICAL INQUIRY, SEX ROLES, SOCIOLOGICAL QUARTERLY, and TEACHING SOCIOLOGY. She has won numerous teaching awards, including the University of North Carolina, Board of Governor's Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award.David Knox, Ph.D., is a professor of sociology at East Carolina University, where he teaches courses in Courtship and Marriage, Marriage and the Family, and Sociology of Human Sexuality. He is a marriage and family therapist, and the author or co-author of 10 books and 60 professional articles. He is married to Caroline Schacht.Caroline Schacht, M.A. in Sociology and M.A. in Family Relations, is Instructor of Sociology at East Carolina University and teaches Courtship and Marriage, Introduction to Sociology, and The Sociology of Food. Her clinical work includes marriage and family relationships. She also is a divorce mediator and the co-author of several books. She is married to David Knox.
Table of Contents
Part I: SOCIOLOGY AND THE STUDY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS. 1. Thinking About Social Problems. Part II: PROBLEMS OF WELL-BEING. 2. Illness and the Health Care Crisis. 3. Alcohol and Other Drugs. 4. Crime and Social Control. 5. Family Problems. Part III: PROBLEMS OF INEQUALITY. 6. Poverty and Economic Inequality. 7. Work and Unemployment. 8. Problems in Education. 9. Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration. 10. Gender Inequality. 11. Sexual Orientation and the Struggle for Equality. Part IV: PROBLEMS OF GLOBALIZATION. 12. Population Growth and Urbanization. 13. Environmental Problems. 14. Science and Technology. 15. Conflict, War, and Terrorism. Glossary. References. Credits. Name Index. Subject Index.