Seeing Ourselves: Classic, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural Readings in Sociology, Fourth Canadian Edition (4th Edition) - Softcover

Macionis, John J.; Benokraitis, Nijole V.; Urmetzer, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0132819007 ISBN 13: 9780132819008

Publisher: Pearson Education Canada, 2013

Synopsis

Seeing all sides of sociology issues: classic, contemporary, and cross-cultural.

Seeing Ourselves is the only reader that systematically weaves together three types of articles–classic, contemporary, and cross-cultural–to showcase the many different perspectives sociology offers across a diverse variety of topics. Classic articles provide students with sociological statements of recognized importance and lasting significance. Contemporary readings focus on current sociological issues, controversies, and applications. And, cross-cultural selections offer sociological insights about the striking cultural diversity of Canada and the larger world. Together, these readings summarize significant sociological issues in a way that is both informative and easy to understand for introductory students.

About this title

About the Author:

John J. Macionis is professor and distinguished scholar of sociology at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a doctorate in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania. Macionis has authored a number of best-selling sociology textbooks, including Sociology, the leading comprehensive text; Society: The Basics, the leading brief textbook; and Social Problems, the leading text for that course. In 2002, the American Sociological Association honoured Macionis for his work with textbooks and for pioneering the use of new technology in sociology by bestowing on him the major Award for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching. At Kenyon, Macionis offers a wide range of upper-level courses, but his favourite course is Introduction to Sociology, which he teaches every year.

Nijole V. Benokraitis is professor of sociology at the University of Baltimore. She earned a B.A. at Emmanuel College (Boston), an M.A. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a doctorate at the University of Texas at Austin. Professor Benokraitis, who immigrated to the United States from Lithuania with her family when she was six years old, is bilingual and bicultural and is very empathetic of students who try to balance two cultural worlds. She is the author, coauthor, editor, and co-editor of seven books, including Marriages and Families: Changes, Choices, and Constraints. Benokraitis has published numerous articles and book chapters on topics such as sexism and institutional racism, has received grants and fellowships from many institutions–including the Ford Foundation and the Administration on Aging–and has made numerous appearances on local radio and television shows. She currently serves on the editorial board of Women & Criminal Justice and reviews international fellowship applications for the American Association of University Women’s Educational Foundation.

Peter Urmetzer is head of History and Sociology and Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus. He has a B.A. and M.A. from Carleton University in Ottawa and a Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia–all degrees are in sociology. Peter Urmetzer teaches introductory sociology, survey methods, and Canadian society. He is currently conducting research on how values inform economic decision-making. Over the years, his academic interests have consistently leaned toward the distribution of income and wealth. Urmetzer’s other academic interests include research methods and what constitutes good evidence.

Review:

“I like the arrangement of the text by topic....I appreciate the fact that Pearson Canada takes the time to update the materials on a regular basis. The text is perfect for my introductory course in terms of topics, authors and theoretical level for undergraduate students.”
--Cheryl Gosselin, Bishop’s University

"This article is a much needed one for a Social Problems lecture on Social Media. It useful and helpful in alerting students to the problems they can create in allowing so much of the personal to become public. I see the abuse of Social Media as one of the biggest social problems facing our society today and this is indeed a well written and timely article for all. It can also be a great example for introducing Goffman’s theory in an Introductory class. I certainly would assign it."
--Pearl Crichton, Concordia University, review of reading 67 “Facebook: Friend or Foe"

“I am quite delighted to see this reading as a possible offering in the collection. While it tries to define the various points and orientations within the political spectrum it also gives students an appreciation of the greyness and fluidity of the spectrum. This is super-useful for thinking through especially the applied topics of the collection, particularly the reading’s section on Liberalism.”
--Amar Wahab, Nipissing University, review of reading 42 “Do You Know Left From Right?”

“Yes, it’s a good reading on the subject of “sociological imagination”, as well “environment and Society”. The topic is relevant to students’ day-to-day life practices and what they can do to make a better society for themselves and the future generations. The article is also short and brief, but very easy to read and understand. It’s also very mind-opening and interesting to read, since the reader can feel connected to the issue.”
--Anonymous, review of reading 63 “How Many Energy Servants Are Supporting Your Lifestyle?”

“What I especially like is the subject matter—most of my students would relate to Kraft Dinner—and, I always think the most effective sociological pedagogy involves taking a seemingly non-sociological thing (like Kraft Dinner) and showing how it is completely tied into social relations/order/inequality. This would be a sociological writing that the majority of them would be able to follow, and likely stick with, and it is a good choice for the contemporary component of the reader.”
--Anonymous, review of reading 28 “Discomforting Comfort Foods: Stirring the Pot on Kraft Dinner and Social Inequality in Canda”

About this edition

• Publisher: Pearson Education Canada
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0132819007
• ISBN 13: 9780132819008
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 4