The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology

The most relevant textbook for today’s students.

The Real World succeeds in classrooms, because it focuses on the perspective that students care about most―their own. In every chapter, the authors use activities, examples from everyday life, and popular culture to draw students into thinking sociologically and to make abstract concepts more concrete.

Kerry Ferris is Associate Professor of Sociology at Northern Illinois University. She uses ethnographic methods to study fame as a system of social power. Currently, she is researching the lives of professional celebrity impersonators and also analyzing the emotions communicated by celebrities in red-carpet interviews.

Jill Stein is Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Santa Barbara City College. In addition to teaching Introduction to Sociology every semester, she has studied narrative processes in 12-step programs, the role of popular culture in higher learning, and group culture among professional rock musicians.