Social Science: An Introduction to the Study of Society

Social Science: An Introduction to the Study of Society 16e approaches social science from a common-sense perspective, rather than from a conventional social science angle. Readers will see how seemingly diverse disciplines intermingle – anthropology and economics, for example. The goal of the book is to teach students critical thought and problem solving skills that will allow them to approach social issues in an unbiased manner.

New to this edition are significant updates on:

Race and the police

More comparison/contrasts of deviance and criminality

Alternative pathways in criminal justice

new technology such as self-driving cars

Gay marriage

American political dynasties

Refugee and immigration issues in Europe & globally

American political dynasties

China’s growing power

New trade initiatives

"States" in the Middle East

Nuclear arms control​

Expanded web-based ancillaries for students and teachers

Elgin Hunt is deceased. He was one of the early authors of this book when it began in the 1930s, and took over as sole author in the 1950s. He continued revising the book until the late 1960s when David Colander took over.

David Colander received his Ph.D. from Columbia University and has been the Christian A Johnson Distinguished Professor of Economics at Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont since 1982. In 2001-2002 he was the Kelly Professor of Distinguished Teaching at Princeton University. He has authored, co-authored, or edited over 35 books and 100 articles on a wide range of topics. His books have been, or are being, translated into a number of different languages, including Chinese, Bulgarian, Polish, Italian, and Spanish. He has been president of both the Eastern Economic Association and History of Economic Thought Society and is, or has been, on the editorial boards of numerous journals, including Journal of Economic Perspectives and the Journal of Economic Education.