Synopses & Reviews
Sociology Now reflects the discipline today and emphasizes the big questions about multiculturalism and globalization that sociologists ask.
Sociology has always offered a way to make sense of the complex and sometimes contradictory forces that shape our social lives in any era. As Sociology Now explains sociology as both a body of knowledge and a "way of seeing," it shows how two such forces in particular have come to preoccupy sociologists and influence the way they look at the events and experiences of the early twenty first century:
The first is globalization--the economic, political, cultural, and social interconnections among people and institutions all over the world.
The second is multiculturalism--the recognition that race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, religion, and other statuses are sources of social inequality, but also the foundations of our identities.
Michael Kimmel, a leading sociologist and gender researcher, and co-author Amy Aronson, a journalist and media scholar, address these questions head-on as they make a compelling case for the importance of sociology in the contemporary world.
Review
Read below for reviewer comments on the following topics:
Approach
Writing Style
Research
Diversity/ Globalization
Chapter Openers
What Do You Think? feature
Sociology and Our World feature
Did You Know? feature
How Do We Know What We Know boxes
Try It
Chapter 7: Stratification and Social Class
Chapter 9: Sex and Gender
Chapter 10: Sexuality
Chapter 12: The Family
Chapter 16: The Body: Health & Illness
Chapter 17: Education
Chapter 18: Mass Media
STUDENT COMMENTS
Approach
"This text has a contemporary and fresh approach."
Cynthia Reed
Tarrant County Community College
"I found the author's approach to teaching sociology refreshing and intriguing. The way in which the author integrated the new perspectives of globalization and multiculturalism clearly communicated that sociology is and will continue to change and expand in order to more accurately explain societal shifts and transformations."
Kell Stone
El Camino College
"The author's approach is very contemporary and unlike many texts does not seem formulaic."
Cynthia Reed
Tarrant County Community College
"The text's major strength is its unique approach to teaching introductory sociology. The focus on integrative thinking rather than either/ or thinking and the move to new theoretical perspectives rather than the usual functionalism/ conflict theory/ symbolic interactionism focus are both unique in the field of introductory textbooks."
Jennifer Lerner
North Virginia Community College
"The book's major strengths are the way it compares to all the other books on the market."
Jennifer Lerner
North Virginia Community College
"He does an excellent job of showing how sociologists see the world in complex ways."
Adam Moskowitz
Columbus State Community College
"This text appeals to me because of its focus on race, gender, and class as primary and intersecting themes that organize our social worlds and our lives as well as a contemporary approach to sociology through the lens of multiculturalism and globalization. If instructors are interested in helping their students see the complexity and astonishing nature of our everyday life, this could be the text for them."
Kristine De Welde
University of Denver
“Kimmel’s approach is exactly what I am looking for in a sociology text. It addresses the students’ realities, it moves beyond the “big three” theoretical approach to an approach grounded in postmodernism and aware of the integration of issues typically dealt with as binaries.”
Amy Lynch - George Washington University
“I believe the approach to be quite connected to the field and mission of sociology. I believe that linking the text to ideas outside of the field of sociology is what progressive sociological thinkers continually try to do.”
Risa Garelick - Coconino Community College
“The major strength of this book is that it delves deeply into topics and gives very insightful information.”
Dean Wagstaffe — Indian River Community College
“One great strength of this text is the ability to break down information in a palatable format. The sections are not too long, enabling students to assimilate a large mass of material in comfortable formats. Each chapter seems to be well balanced with text, visuals [assuming from notes], and constructive questions for students to consider. The examples are current, also a strength for drawing in our contemporary students. The author provides humor and approachability with this writing style.”
Pamela Williams-Paez — College of the Canyons
“The major strengths of the text are that it incorporates global comparisons throughout the whole manuscript and not just in a globalization chapter.”
Shelly A. McGrath — Southern Illinois University
“The major strength of this text is that it captures the two intertwined emergent forces in society and weaves that influence throughout basic sociological theory and concepts.”
Susan Blackwell — Delgado Community College
“When reading the text I felt that it was about learning and piecing information together and not just about memorizing information.”
Shelly A. McGrath — Southern Illinois University — Carbondale
Students will enjoy the variety of current examples and the active discussions used throughout the text.”
Marybeth C. Stalp — University of Northern Iowa
“The author captures and maintains the reader’s attention throughout the entire chapter. There is full coverage of the topics and the material appears to be well-researched.”
Brenda Donelan — Northern State University
“Kimmel used a strong philosophical base to introduce the development of sociology as a discipline. The discussion of the various scholars/philosophers who contributed to the discipline of sociology was excellent. This was the best background information on the science of sociology I have read.”
“The author does an excellent job presenting sociology as a field of study driven by the scientific method. The discussion was readable, yet full of information.”
“I thought the author did an excellent job representing the major perspectives of sociology.”
Joseph Keith Price — West Texas A&M University
“The chapters are successful in promoting critical thinking skills in terms of building arguments, the use of data in those arguments pointing out different sides of the issue, and following up with questions that ask students to apply what they’ve learned.”
Lynette F. Hoelter - University of Michigan
Writing Style
"The writing style is both inviting and engaging. If it was a rating scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest positive rating, I would give it a 10."
Elizabeth Pare
Wayne State University
"I think the best thing about this text is the refreshingly open writing style and lack of pretence. I think that students would be more likely to read, and hopefully remember something that is written for them rather than for the instructor."
William Housel
Northwestern Louisiana State University
"I found the writing style engaging and believe the students would too."
Cynthia Reed
Tarrant County Community College
"Excellent...explains things very well, uses good examples, speaks directly to the audience, and very engaging."
Adam Moskowitz
Columbus State Community College
"The book forces students to think more analytically than other texts."
Amy Kirk
Sam Houston State University
“The writing style is very easy to follow along and stay interested.”
Amy Lynch - George Washington University
“I think the writing style is a major plus of this book.”
Barry B. Kass – SUNY Orange
“The writing style is very engaging and appropriate for students at the introductory level. Furthermore, the author does an excellent job of providing adequate definitions of terms. I also thought the author used colorful and relevant examples throughout the text.”
Christy M. Glass – Utah State University
“The writing style is lucid and easy to follow. I feel it is very accessible to students and that they would generally find it engaging.”
Ralph B. Brown – Brigham Young University
“The writing style of the author is excellent. I was immediately immersed into the author’s discussion. The author presents material in a very straight-forward manner that will be appealing to the student. His language is not too technical or “scholarly” that he will lose his readers.”
Joseph Keith Price – West Texas A&M University
Research
"The research used was broad-based and sound. The references included the "traditional" references found in most textbooks, as well as, more contemporary perspectives."
Kell Stone
El Camino College
“The references cited were thought provoking and well placed for critical thinking.”
Boyd Bergeson — Oregon Health and Sciences University
“The research examples in the text are interesting and compelling.”
Joseph Keith Price — West Texas A&M University
Diversity/ Globalization
"The focus on global issues, as well as race-class-gender, is important and reflects a more current approach than most other texts."
Jennifer Lerner
North Virginia Community College
"I found it refreshing that the author was able to competently integrate sexual orientation not as a mere subject of sociology, but as a normal part of human society."
Kell Stone
El Camino College
"The book does a good job of expressing the idea that the social world is filled with more than just each student's individual experiences. The book speaks to religious issues, gender issues, class issues, global issues, and race issues."
Adam Moskowitz
Columbus State Community College
"A real innovation of this book is its emphasis on globalization, and the explicit way in which the text seeks to "open students' eyes" by looking at a variety of different scenarios from various cultures at various time periods. The book forces students to think more analytically than other texts."
Amy Kirk
Sam Houston State University
“A major strength is the way the author grapples with the complexity of society, bringing in cross-cultural and international issues alongside the issues typically presented.”
Lynette F. Hoelter - University of Michigan
“I really like how the author frames and defines the lenses, globalization and multiculturalism, by which contemporary sociologists understand.”
Amitra Hodge — SUNY Buffalo
“The chapters show how society is complex and every issue is complex. The author also successfully incorporates globalization and multiculturalism throughout the chapters. Each of the chapters are filled with race, class, and gender and how each of these influences and effects the issue at hand.”
Shelly A. McGrath — Southern Illinois University
“By drawing comparisons to the U.S. and other countries, students are able to develop an understanding of differences and similarities.”
Brenda Donelan – Northern State University
“The author’s approach goes beyond what many other texts use. Most others that I have come across discuss functionalism and conflict perspectives but not globalization and multiculturalism. These two concepts are very important since we have moved into a global network.”
Shelly A. McGrath – Southern Illinois University
“The text is unique because it incorporates global issues throughout the whole thing and not just in one chapter.”
Shelly A. McGrath – Southern Illinois University
“Kimmel/Aronson did a good job of integrating terms, topics, and concepts into a larger story line about social shifts – primarily globalization and multiculturalism.”
Ralph B. Brown – Brigham Young University
“The author provided a range of excellent research on class, gender, race, and ethnicity.”
Christy M. Glass – Utah State University
Chapter Openers
"What I like most about the openings is that each is unique; they are not formulaic."
Cynthia Reed
Tarrant County Community College
What Do You Think? feature
"I thought the questions were thought provoking and can encourage critical thinking."
Cynthia Reed
Tarrant County Community College
"The What Do You Think tied to the What Does America Think? sections throughout the chapters are a refreshing take on having the student learn to critically assess his/ her own beliefs, the larger social paradigms related, and to understand some of the basic application of research."
Elizabeth Pare
Wayne State University
“The What Do You Think activity was well-written and conducive to a class discussion.”
Pamela Williams-Paez – College of the Canyons
“These boxes help lead to discussion throughout the chapter, which is an important part of teaching. They also make critical thinking an integral part of the chapter.”
Shelly A. McGrath – Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
Sociology and Our World feature
"I really like the Sociology and Our World boxes. The one on common sense (Chapter 1) is an excellent presentation, as well as a good conversation starter."
William Housel
Northwestern Louisiana State University
"The Sociology and Our World features are very good. I love to use "Myth Busters" as teaching points in my class, and these are excellent examples of how to break up the "common sense" argument.
William Housel
Northwestern Louisiana State University
Did You Know? feature
"A good spring board for engaging student participation."
Elizabeth Pare
Wayne State University
"The Did You Know? boxes are very interesting little tidbits that make the characters they describe more human, rather than some distant historical giant. Very useful."
William Housel
Northwestern Louisiana State University
"These are great; they provide attention grabbing data for the students to think about and discuss."
Adam Moskowitz
Columbus State Community College
“The How Do We Know What We Know? feature along with the Did You Know? boxes are both interesting and informative. They also address critical thinking skills as readers are able to reflect on what they already know and question assumptions.
Pamela Williams-Paez – College of the Canyons
How Do We Know What We Know? boxes
"The How Do We Know What We Know boxes are uniformly excellent, providing the students with some additional depth that is often missing in other texts."
William Housel
Northwestern Louisiana State University
"This type of box does a good job of demonstrating the connection between research and how we know answers to basic questions."
Adam Moskowitz
Columbus State Community College
How Do We Know What We Know? was very interesting and will be well received by students. It made the manuscript more pertinent to the student and his life.”
Joseph Keith Price — West Texas A&M University
“The How Do We Know What We Know? feature along with the Did You Know? boxes are both interesting and informative. They also address critical thinking skills as readers are able to reflect on what they already know and question assumptions.
Pamela Williams-Paez — College of the Canyons
Try It
"I like the "try it" feature because it does provide some exercises to help the instructor in developing curriculum for assignments and essays."
Adam Moskowitz
Columbus State Community College
Chapter 7: Stratification and Social Class
“The chapters on Race and Ethnicity and Stratification and Social Class are well developed in terms of diversity and multiculturalism.”
Brenda Donelan — Northern State University
“The author touches on cross-cultural research, social class, gender, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity throughout the chapter. The comparisons between the U.S. and other countries and then at the end of the chapter with the questions comparing social class were interesting. It really illustrates the concepts and ideas the author was trying to get across.”
Shelly A. McGrath – Southern Illinois University
Chapter 9: Sex and Gender
“The gender chapter is terrific.”
Amy Lynch – George Washington University
Chapter 10: Sexuality
"I believe this chapter was particularly strong at illustrating how our sexuality is based upon our diverse social backgrounds."
Amy Kirk
Sam Houston State University
Chapter 12: The Family
“This chapter is will-organized and has a logical progression for students to assimilate the material. The author presents cutting-edge questions to approach these topics and right away gets the reader to think about things.”
Pamela Williams-Paez — College of the Canyons
Chapter 16: The Body: Health & Illness
"This is a topic that students find immensely interesting. The chapter capitalizes on students' natural interest in the body, and I'm glad to finally see an Introductory text that sets apart and highlights this interest."
Amy Kirk
Sam Houston State University
"The examples of American women, American men, and Asian women illustrate that our body images are a social dialog. I am delighted to see the inclusion of men's body image in the dialog. In the recent past, I wind up talking to students about the increased pressures on men to have "built" bodies, but this is one of teh few times I have seen this mentioned in an Introductory text."
Amy Kirk
Sam Houston State University
Chapter 17: Education
"It was nice to see the inclusion of educational levels from around the world. I think this is a subject that college students are particularly interested in."
Amy Kirk
Sam Houston State University
Chapter 18: Mass Media
“This chapter was especially interesting and had many current issues for the students to hang material on. It was well-documented and accessible. The examples included cutting edge material and presented interesting topics for discussion.”
Pamela Williams-Paez – College of the Canyons
STUDENT COMMENTS
WRITING STYLE
“This text is clear and smooth. The explanation of the chapter was really good.”
Nidia Morrow
Arkansas State University
“I liked the way this book was written. It was easier to relate and understand than my current text (Schaefer). This one had a more personal feeling.”
Cassandra Madder
Bunker Hill Community College
“Sociology Now is clearly written. The examples are useful to illustrate the topics. The information is useful and up-to-date. In general, it is interesting to the student.”
Eva Pavon Fernandez
Bunker Hill Community College
“I really enjoyed all of the new examples and stories. They made the concepts more real.”
Kandyce Still
Arkansas State University
RACE & ETHNICITY COVERAGE
“I like how they discussed ethnicity and the many ways they discussed it.”
Christopher-Jean Beptiste
Bunker Hill Community College
PEDAGOGY
“Did you Know Boxes- I really liked the side notes. They help me understand the concept of the chapters and the Did you Know boxes help keeps the class interesting.”
Danielle Neher
Arkansas State University
UNDERSTANDING OUR WORLD
“Sociology Now opened the door to let me know how America views its people, and how we treat and mistreat each other. Just on our thoughts alone, we segregate ourselves from each other.”
Donald Corbin Bey
University of Michigan — Dearborn
“The questions and the boxes helped me understand what and why I think the way I do.”
Freeman James Scott Jr.
University of Michigan - Dearborn
Review
Read below for reviewer comments on the following topics:
Approach
Writing Style
Research
Diversity/ Globalization
Chapter Openers
What Do You Think? feature
Sociology and Our World feature
Did You Know? feature
How Do We Know What We Know boxes
Try It
Chapter 7: Stratification and Social Class
Chapter 9: Sex and Gender
Chapter 10: Sexuality
Chapter 12: The Family
Chapter 16: The Body: Health & Illness
Chapter 17: Education
Chapter 18: Mass Media
STUDENT COMMENTS
Approach
"This text has a contemporary and fresh approach."
Cynthia Reed
Tarrant County Community College
"I found the author's approach to teaching sociology refreshing and intriguing. The way in which the author integrated the new perspectives of globalization and multiculturalism clearly communicated that sociology is and will continue to change and expand in order to more accurately explain societal shifts and transformations."
Kell Stone
El Camino College
"The author's approach is very contemporary and unlike many texts does not seem formulaic."
Cynthia Reed
Tarrant County Community College
"The text's major strength is its unique approach to teaching introductory sociology. The focus on integrative thinking rather than either/ or thinking and the move to new theoretical perspectives rather than the usual functionalism/ conflict theory/ symbolic interactionism focus are both unique in the field of introductory textbooks."
Jennifer Lerner
North Virginia Community College
"The book's major strengths are the way it compares to all the other books on the market."
Jennifer Lerner
North Virginia Community College
"He does an excellent job of showing how sociologists see the world in complex ways."
Adam Moskowitz
Columbus State Community College
"This text appeals to me because of its focus on race, gender, and class as primary and intersecting themes that organize our social worlds and our lives as well as a contemporary approach to sociology through the lens of multiculturalism and globalization. If instructors are interested in helping their students see the complexity and astonishing nature of our everyday life, this could be the text for them."
Kristine De Welde
University of Denver
“Kimmel’s approach is exactly what I am looking for in a sociology text. It addresses the students’ realities, it moves beyond the “big three” theoretical approach to an approach grounded in postmodernism and aware of the integration of issues typically dealt with as binaries.”
Amy Lynch - George Washington University
“I believe the approach to be quite connected to the field and mission of sociology. I believe that linking the text to ideas outside of the field of sociology is what progressive sociological thinkers continually try to do.”
Risa Garelick - Coconino Community College
“The major strength of this book is that it delves deeply into topics and gives very insightful information.”
Dean Wagstaffe – Indian River Community College
“One great strength of this text is the ability to break down information in a palatable format. The sections are not too long, enabling students to assimilate a large mass of material in comfortable formats. Each chapter seems to be well balanced with text, visuals [assuming from notes], and constructive questions for students to consider. The examples are current, also a strength for drawing in our contemporary students. The author provides humor and approachability with this writing style.”
Pamela Williams-Paez – College of the Canyons
“The major strengths of the text are that it incorporates global comparisons throughout the whole manuscript and not just in a globalization chapter.”
Shelly A. McGrath – Southern Illinois University
“The major strength of this text is that it captures the two intertwined emergent forces in society and weaves that influence throughout basic sociological theory and concepts.”
Susan Blackwell – Delgado Community College
“When reading the text I felt that it was about learning and piecing information together and not just about memorizing information.”
Shelly A. McGrath – Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
"Students will enjoy the variety of current examples and the active discussions used throughout the text.”
Marybeth C. Stalp – University of Northern Iowa
“The author captures and maintains the reader’s attention throughout the entire chapter. There is full coverage of the topics and the material appears to be well-researched.”
Brenda Donelan – Northern State University
“Kimmel used a strong philosophical base to introduce the development of sociology as a discipline. The discussion of the various scholars/philosophers who contributed to the discipline of sociology was excellent. This was the best background information on the science of sociology I have read.”
“The author does an excellent job presenting sociology as a field of study driven by the scientific method. The discussion was readable, yet full of information.”
“I thought the author did an excellent job representing the major perspectives of sociology.”
Joseph Keith Price – West Texas A&M University
“The chapters are successful in promoting critical thinking skills in terms of building arguments, the use of data in those arguments pointing out different sides of the issue, and following up with questions that ask students to apply what they’ve learned.”
Lynette F. Hoelter - University of Michigan
Writing Style
"The writing style is both inviting and engaging. If it was a rating scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest positive rating, I would give it a 10."
Elizabeth Pare
Wayne State University
"I think the best thing about this text is the refreshingly open writing style and lack of pretence. I think that students would be more likely to read, and hopefully remember something that is written for them rather than for the instructor."
William Housel
Northwestern Louisiana State University
"I found the writing style engaging and believe the students would too."
Cynthia Reed
Tarrant County Community College
"Excellent...explains things very well, uses good examples, speaks directly to the audience, and very engaging."
Adam Moskowitz
Columbus State Community College
"The book forces students to think more analytically than other texts."
Amy Kirk
Sam Houston State University
“The writing style is very easy to follow along and stay interested.”
Amy Lynch - George Washington University
“I think the writing style is a major plus of this book.”
Barry B. Kass — SUNY Orange
“The writing style is very engaging and appropriate for students at the introductory level. Furthermore, the author does an excellent job of providing adequate definitions of terms. I also thought the author used colorful and relevant examples throughout the text.”
Christy M. Glass — Utah State University
“The writing style is lucid and easy to follow. I feel it is very accessible to students and that they would generally find it engaging.”
Ralph B. Brown — Brigham Young University
“The writing style of the author is excellent. I was immediately immersed into the author’s discussion. The author presents material in a very straight-forward manner that will be appealing to the student. His language is not too technical or “scholarly” that he will lose his readers.”
Joseph Keith Price — West Texas A&M University
Research
"The research used was broad-based and sound. The references included the "traditional" references found in most textbooks, as well as, more contemporary perspectives."
Kell Stone
El Camino College
“The references cited were thought provoking and well placed for critical thinking.”
Boyd Bergeson – Oregon Health and Sciences University
“The research examples in the text are interesting and compelling.”
Joseph Keith Price – West Texas A&M University
Diversity/ Globalization
"The focus on global issues, as well as race-class-gender, is important and reflects a more current approach than most other texts."
Jennifer Lerner
North Virginia Community College
"I found it refreshing that the author was able to competently integrate sexual orientation not as a mere subject of sociology, but as a normal part of human society."
Kell Stone
El Camino College
"The book does a good job of expressing the idea that the social world is filled with more than just each student's individual experiences. The book speaks to religious issues, gender issues, class issues, global issues, and race issues."
Adam Moskowitz
Columbus State Community College
"A real innovation of this book is its emphasis on globalization, and the explicit way in which the text seeks to "open students' eyes" by looking at a variety of different scenarios from various cultures at various time periods. The book forces students to think more analytically than other texts."
Amy Kirk
Sam Houston State University
“A major strength is the way the author grapples with the complexity of society, bringing in cross-cultural and international issues alongside the issues typically presented.”
Lynette F. Hoelter - University of Michigan
“I really like how the author frames and defines the lenses, globalization and multiculturalism, by which contemporary sociologists understand.”
Amitra Hodge – SUNY Buffalo
“The chapters show how society is complex and every issue is complex. The author also successfully incorporates globalization and multiculturalism throughout the chapters. Each of the chapters are filled with race, class, and gender and how each of these influences and effects the issue at hand.”
Shelly A. McGrath – Southern Illinois University
“By drawing comparisons to the U.S. and other countries, students are able to develop an understanding of differences and similarities.”
Brenda Donelan — Northern State University
“The author’s approach goes beyond what many other texts use. Most others that I have come across discuss functionalism and conflict perspectives but not globalization and multiculturalism. These two concepts are very important since we have moved into a global network.”
Shelly A. McGrath — Southern Illinois University
“The text is unique because it incorporates global issues throughout the whole thing and not just in one chapter.”
Shelly A. McGrath — Southern Illinois University
“Kimmel/Aronson did a good job of integrating terms, topics, and concepts into a larger story line about social shifts — primarily globalization and multiculturalism.”
Ralph B. Brown — Brigham Young University
“The author provided a range of excellent research on class, gender, race, and ethnicity.”
Christy M. Glass — Utah State University
Chapter Openers
"What I like most about the openings is that each is unique; they are not formulaic."
Cynthia Reed
Tarrant County Community College
What Do You Think? feature
"I thought the questions were thought provoking and can encourage critical thinking."
Cynthia Reed
Tarrant County Community College
"The What Do You Think tied to the What Does America Think? sections throughout the chapters are a refreshing take on having the student learn to critically assess his/ her own beliefs, the larger social paradigms related, and to understand some of the basic application of research."
Elizabeth Pare
Wayne State University
“The What Do You Think activity was well-written and conducive to a class discussion.”
Pamela Williams-Paez — College of the Canyons
“These boxes help lead to discussion throughout the chapter, which is an important part of teaching. They also make critical thinking an integral part of the chapter.”
Shelly A. McGrath — Southern Illinois University — Carbondale
Sociology and Our World feature
"I really like the Sociology and Our World boxes. The one on common sense (Chapter 1) is an excellent presentation, as well as a good conversation starter."
William Housel
Northwestern Louisiana State University
"The Sociology and Our World features are very good. I love to use 'Myth Busters' as teaching points in my class, and these are excellent examples of how to break up the 'common sense' argument."
William Housel
Northwestern Louisiana State University
Did You Know? feature
"A good spring board for engaging student participation."
Elizabeth Pare
Wayne State University
"The Did You Know? boxes are very interesting little tidbits that make the characters they describe more human, rather than some distant historical giant. Very useful."
William Housel
Northwestern Louisiana State University
"These are great; they provide attention grabbing data for the students to think about and discuss."
Adam Moskowitz
Columbus State Community College
“The How Do We Know What We Know? feature along with the Did You Know? boxes are both interesting and informative. They also address critical thinking skills as readers are able to reflect on what they already know and question assumptions."
Pamela Williams-Paez — College of the Canyons
How Do We Know What We Know? boxes
"The How Do We Know What We Know boxes are uniformly excellent, providing the students with some additional depth that is often missing in other texts."
William Housel
Northwestern Louisiana State University
"This type of box does a good job of demonstrating the connection between research and how we know answers to basic questions."
Adam Moskowitz
Columbus State Community College
"How Do We Know What We Know? was very interesting and will be well received by students. It made the manuscript more pertinent to the student and his life.”
Joseph Keith Price – West Texas A&M University
“The How Do We Know What We Know? feature along with the Did You Know? boxes are both interesting and informative. They also address critical thinking skills as readers are able to reflect on what they already know and question assumptions.
Pamela Williams-Paez – College of the Canyons
Try It
"I like the "try it" feature because it does provide some exercises to help the instructor in developing curriculum for assignments and essays."
Adam Moskowitz
Columbus State Community College
Chapter 7: Stratification and Social Class
“The chapters on Race and Ethnicity and Stratification and Social Class are well developed in terms of diversity and multiculturalism.”
Brenda Donelan – Northern State University
“The author touches on cross-cultural research, social class, gender, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity throughout the chapter. The comparisons between the U.S. and other countries and then at the end of the chapter with the questions comparing social class were interesting. It really illustrates the concepts and ideas the author was trying to get across.”
Shelly A. McGrath — Southern Illinois University
Chapter 9: Sex and Gender
“The gender chapter is terrific.”
Amy Lynch — George Washington University
Chapter 10: Sexuality
"I believe this chapter was particularly strong at illustrating how our sexuality is based upon our diverse social backgrounds."
Amy Kirk
Sam Houston State University
Chapter 12: The Family
“This chapter is will-organized and has a logical progression for students to assimilate the material. The author presents cutting-edge questions to approach these topics and right away gets the reader to think about things.”
Pamela Williams-Paez – College of the Canyons
Chapter 16: The Body: Health & Illness
"This is a topic that students find immensely interesting. The chapter capitalizes on students' natural interest in the body, and I'm glad to finally see an Introductory text that sets apart and highlights this interest."
Amy Kirk
Sam Houston State University
"The examples of American women, American men, and Asian women illustrate that our body images are a social dialog. I am delighted to see the inclusion of men's body image in the dialogue. In the recent past, I wind up talking to students about the increased pressures on men to have "built" bodies, but this is one of the few times I have seen this mentioned in an Introductory text."
Amy Kirk
Sam Houston State University
Chapter 17: Education
"It was nice to see the inclusion of educational levels from around the world. I think this is a subject that college students are particularly interested in."
Amy Kirk
Sam Houston State University
Chapter 18: Mass Media
“This chapter was especially interesting and had many current issues for the students to hang material on. It was well-documented and accessible. The examples included cutting edge material and presented interesting topics for discussion.”
Pamela Williams-Paez — College of the Canyons
STUDENT COMMENTS
WRITING STYLE
“This text is clear and smooth. The explanation of the chapter was really good.”
Nidia Morrow
Arkansas State University
“I liked the way this book was written. It was easier to relate and understand than my current text (Schaefer). This one had a more personal feeling.”
Cassandra Madder
Bunker Hill Community College
“Sociology Now is clearly written. The examples are useful to illustrate the topics. The information is useful and up-to-date. In general, it is interesting to the student.”
Eva Pavon Fernandez
Bunker Hill Community College
“I really enjoyed all of the new examples and stories. They made the concepts more real.”
Kandyce Still
Arkansas State University
RACE & ETHNICITY COVERAGE
“I like how they discussed ethnicity and the many ways they discussed it.”
Christopher-Jean Beptiste
Bunker Hill Community College
PEDAGOGY
“Did you Know Boxes- I really liked the side notes. They help me understand the concept of the chapters and the Did you Know boxes help keep the class interesting.”
Danielle Neher
Arkansas State University
UNDERSTANDING OUR WORLD
“Sociology Now opened the door to let me know how America views its people, and how we treat and mistreat each other. Just on our thoughts alone, we segregate ourselves from each other.”
Donald Corbin Bey
University of Michigan – Dearborn
“The questions and the boxes helped me understand what and why I think the way I do.”
Freeman James Scott Jr.
University of Michigan - Dearborn
Synopsis
Sociology Now
Michael Kimmel
Amy Aronson
Exploring the Questions of Today:
Globalization and Multiculturalism
Race, Class, and Gender
Identity and Inequality
Six different covers . . . same book.
Choose your favorite.
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About the Author
Michael S. Kimmel is a Professor of Sociology at SUNY at Stony Brook. He is the author of
Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men (HarperCollins, 2008) which was featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America and featured on over one hundred radio and newspaper and blog reviews. His other books include
Changing Men (1987),
Men’s Lives(8
th edition, 2009)
Against the Tide: Profeminist Men in the United States, 1776-1990 (1992),
The Politics of Manhood (1996),
Manhood: A Cultural History (1996, 10
th anniversary second edition, 2006), and
The Gendered Society (3
rd edition, 2008). He co-edited
The Encyclopedia on Men and Masculinities (2004) and
Handbook of Studies on Men and Masculinities (2004). He is the founder and editor of
Men and Masculinities, the field’s premier scholarly journal, a book series on Gender and Sexuality at New York University Press, and edited the Sage Series on Men and Masculinities. He lectures extensively in corporations and on campuses in the U.S. and abroad. He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife and co-author, Amy Aronson, and their 10 year old son, Zachary.
Amy Aronson is Assistant Professor of Journalism and Media Studies at Fordham University. She is the author of Taking Liberties: Early American Women's Magazines and Their Readers and an editor of the international quarterly, Media History. She has co-edited several books, including a centennial edition of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's Women and Economics and the two-volume Encyclopedia of Men and Masculinities, which was honored by the New York Public Library with a Best of Reference Award in 2004. A former editor at Working Woman and Ms., her work has also appeared in publications including Business Week, Global Journalist and the Sunday supplement of The Boston Globe.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: What is Sociology?
Chapter 2: Culture and Society
Chapter 3: Society: Interactions, Groups, and Organizations
Chapter 4: How Do We Know What We Know? The Methods of the Sociologist
Chapter 5: Socialization
Chapter 6: Deviance and Crime
Chapter 7: Stratification and Social Class
Chapter 8: Race and Ethnicity
Chapter 9: Sex and Gender
Chapter 10: Sexuality
Chapter 11: