Sociology - Hardcover

Hess, Beth B.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 002354371X ISBN 13: 9780023543715

Publisher: Macmillan, 1991

Synopsis

For undergraduate courses in Introduction to Sociology. The goal of this book is to show students how to analyze everyday events through the sociological perspective, to increase their social knowledge, and to develop critical thinking skills. With a strong emphasis on diversity, it introduces the major methods, theories, and findings of sociology and relates them to todays sociological institutions, movements, and issues.* NEW - Completely rewritten chapter on research methods. * Makes the concepts understandable to students. Ex. Chapter 2 * NEW - Reorganized chapter on Race and Ethnic Relations with a tighter focus on key principles. (Chapter 11). * NEW - Refocus of the chapter on the Economy with political systems moved to the appropriate chapters. (Chapter 12). * NEW - Putting Sociology to Work sections. * Demonstrate the practical uses of sociology, reinforce the focus on applied sociology, and demonstrate the usefulness of sociology in developing public policy. * NEW - Using the World Wide Web boxes. * Helps students to locate and understand sociological information as presented on the World Wide Web. * NEW - Student Life boxes. * Contains relevant examples drawn from students own lives. * NEW - Over 400 new sources cited. * Presents the latest and most relevant material. * Coherent coverage of a wide range of material with a full chapter devoted to introducing and explaining the three basic sociological perspectives (Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionist). * Draws upon these perspectives for better understanding throughout the book. Ex. Ch. 3 * Demonstrates the relationship between culture and social structure in a single chapter (Chapter 4). * Discusses poverty and the single-parent family in the marriage and family chapter using the latest census data. The chapter focuses on the growing diversity in families in terms of cultural differences and explains what constitutes a family today (Chapter 13). * A series of insightful boxes that explore a variety of sociological issues which are related to the material in the chapter. * Personal Journey Into Sociology boxes written by major sociological figures that explain both the nature and the personal meaning of their work. * Comparing Cultures and Societies boxes examine how various cultures and societies throughout the U.S. and the world handle important social issues. * Sociological Insights boxes discuss contemporary events and ideas that concern todays students with topics ranging from affirmative action to AIDS. * Using the World Wide Web boxes help the students to locate and understand sociological information as presented on the world wide web. * Student Life boxes contain relevant examples drawn from students own lives. * Introduces students to the ways in which sociological findings can be used to understand the issues facing us as we enter a new century. * Emphasis on critical thinking, challenging students to assess the scientific validity of claims and to ensure that the data are consistent with one theory over another.

About this title

From the Publisher:

In a fresh "student-friendly" format, this highly- successful volume introduces the major methods, theories, and findings of sociology and relates them to today's sociological institutions, movements, and issues. The goal of this book is to show students how to analyze everyday events through the sociological perspective, increase social knowledge, and develop critical thinking skills. With treatments of sociological paradigms, insightful boxes addressing current issues and social policy, and a broad range of effective supplements encompassing many medias, Sociology is one of the most comprehensive and powerful teaching and learning packages available.

From the Back Cover:

Introduces sociology with an emphasis on connectedness; the idea that different subject areas within sociology relate to one another and to sociology's three overarching perspectives: Functionalist, Conflict, and Interactionist. This comprehensive book introduces coherent coverage of a wide range of material while explaining the three basic sociological perspectives and draws upon these perspectives throughout the book for better understanding. Demonstrates the relationship between culture and social structure in a single chapter combining both. It also emphasizes critical thinking by challenging readers to assess the scientific validity of claims and to ensure that data are consistent. The fourth edition of Sociology has been revised to include the latest and most relevant material. Demonstrates the practical uses of sociology in Putting Sociology to Work sections that also reinforce the focus on applied sociology and the usefulness of sociology in developing public policy. An essential reference for any professional in the social sciences.

About this edition

• Publisher: Macmillan
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 002354371X
• ISBN 13: 9780023543715
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 4