The articles in this carefully edited anthology for introductory sociology demonstrate the significance of sociology in everyday life, and show that what seems "obvious" is often not-so-obvious when subjected to sociological analysis.
As with prevision editions, Sociology (reader): Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life Readings, Tenth Edition by David M. Newman, Jodi O’Brien, and Michelle L. Robertson includes a range of styles and examples that reflect common experiences and phenomena; important social issues and problems; the relationship between the individual and society; and a sociological perspective on specific historic events. One overarching theme, represented by the metaphor of "architecture" in the title, is that as social beings, we are constantly building and rebuilding our social environments. Many readings are based on research done in the past five years, and others are sociological classics.
David M. Newman earned his BA from San Diego State University in 1981 and his graduate degrees from the University of Washington in Seattle (MA 1984, PhD 1988). After a year at the University of Connecticut, David taught at DePauw University for more than 30 years. He currently teaches at Colgate University. David teaches courses in contemporary society, deviance, mental illness, family, social inequality, and research methods. He has published numerous articles on teaching and has presented research papers on the intersection of gender and power in intimate relationships. Recently most of his scholarly activity has been devoted to writing and revising several books, including Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life: Brief Edition (SAGE, 2020); Identities and Inequalities: Exploring the Intersections of Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality (McGraw-Hill, 2021); and Families: A Sociological Perspective (McGraw-Hill, 2009). His most recent book, A Culture of Second Chances: The Promise, Practice and Price of Starting Over in Everyday Life (Lexington Books, 2019), examines the cultural meaning, institutional importance, and social limitations of “second chance” and “permanent stigma” narratives in everyday life.
Jodi O’Brien is Professor of Sociology and Women and Gender Studies at Seattle University. She is the editor of the
Encyclopedia of Gender and Society and co-editor of the “Contemporary Sociological Perspectives” book series. Her books include
The Production of Reality, Social Prisms, and
Everyday Inequalities. Her courses and research focus on difference, power and discrimination, and religion and sexuality.
Michelle Robertson (PhD, Washington State University) is Associate Professor of Sociology at St. Edward’s University. In addition to the introductory course, she teaches courses in research, statistics, theory, sport, masculinities, family, and social inequality. She won a teaching award at Washington State University and does research on classroom incivility.
