Social Problems - Softcover

Macionis, John J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0205749003 ISBN 13: 9780205749003

Publisher: Pearson College Div, 2009

Synopsis

Macionis's Social Problems is the only social problems text that explains how society frames social problems and solutions through politics. The text analyzes social issues and policies, using the concepts of sociological theory and the everyday language of politics. This text helps students understand the attitudes and values that define the political spectrum in the United States. Once students know how social problems are defined by our society through politics, and how the policies to solve these problems are developed, students are able to become involved in solving social problems through activism and political involvement.

About this title

About the Author:

John J. Macionis  was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a doctorate in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania.

 

John Macionis' publications are wide-ranging, focusing on community life in the United States, interpersonal intimacy in families, effective teaching, humor, new information technology, and the importance of global education.

 

In addition, John Macionis and Nijole V. Benokraitis have edited the best-selling anthology Seeing Ourselves: Classic, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural Readings in Sociology. Macionis and Vincent Parrillo have written the leading urban studies text, Cities and Urban Life (Pearson). Macionis’ most recent textbook is Social Problems (Pearson).

 

John Macionis is Professor and Distinguished Scholar of Sociology at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where he has taught for almost thirty years. During that time, he has chaired the Sociology Department, directed the college’s multidisciplinary program in humane studies, presided over the campus senate and the college’s faculty, and taught sociology to thousands of students.

 

In 2002, the American Sociological Association presented Macionis with the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching, citing his innovative use of global material as well as the introduction of new teaching technology in his textbooks.

 

Professor Macionis has been active in academic programs in other countries, having traveled to some fifty nations. He writes, “I am an ambitious traveler, eager to learn and, through the texts, to share much of what I discover with students, many of whom know little about the rest of the world. For me, traveling and writing are all dimensions of teaching. First, and foremost, I am a teacher—a passion for teaching animates everything I do.”

 

At Kenyon, Macionis teaches a number of courses, but his favorite class is Introduction to Sociology, which he offers every semester. He enjoys extensive contact with students and invites everyone enrolled in each of his classes to enjoy a home-cooked meal.

 

The Macionis family—John, Amy, and children McLean and Whitney—live on a farm in rural Ohio. In his free time, Macionis enjoys tennis, swimming, hiking, and playing oldies rock-and-roll (he recently released his first CD). Macionis is as an environmental activist in the Lake George region of New York’s Adirondack Mountains, working with a number of organizations, including the Lake George Land Conservancy, where he serves as president of the board of trustees.

Review:

General Thoughts

"I prefer to relate text topics to current events both local and global. This text does a nice job of including topics that would provide fodder for good discussion and bring reality to the classroom."

Linda Aaberg, Hennepin Technical College

“I would recommend this book to anyone.  The book introduces some very thought-provoking ideas and is comparable to life as a whole.  I believe the author has done an excellent job with presenting the ideas of sociology from a social construct point of view.  It is very up-to-date and I will be using it in the future.”

Christina Cowen, Wayne State University

Writing Style

 

“This is a text that I have been using for the past 5 years [the third edition].  I would not use any other social problems book.  This text really teaches students about the social problems from many different perspectives.  Excellent book to use”

Deidre Tyler, Salt Lake Community College

 

“Macionis has written this text with the student in mind.  He does not talk down to the student, nor does he try to beat the student over the head with the material.  He writes with respect, but also with a sincere desire to teach and inform the student...Macionis strikes a good balance.”

Dr. Clay A Hipke, University of Florida

 

“...this is a well done social problems text and I believe sincerely that virtually any professor could use this to good effect independently of how they structure their course.”

Craig M. Eckert, Eastern Illinois University

 

“The text is readable and easy to follow for students, and is presented in a way to encourage them to critically think, engage in the learning process, and make meaningful real-life connections.”

Dr. Jewrell Rivers, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

 

“The author has a unique writing style in which a first year student can comprehend the materials and follow along with a veteran instructor.  The material is college level appropriate without being biased, blameful, and narrow.”

Christina Cowen, Wayne State University

 

Organization

 

“I am very impressed with the organizational scheme of the text.  It is very sound and logical in order.”

Dr. Jewrell Rivers, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

 

“I think as an introductory text to sociology this is fair and balanced.  Given the structure of the text and the internal connections, the author has already accomplished a great teaching resource.”

Black Hawk Hancock, DePaul University

 

Diversity

 

“The diversity issues discussed in the text are exemplary.”

Christina Cowen, Wayne State University

 

Charts and Tables

“The charts and tables are excellent.  In fact, they are one of the better features of the text.”

Dr. Clay A. Hipke, University of Florida

 

“Getting Involved” Feature

 

“This pedagogical element is most useful because it provides specific ‘point questions’ that allow for critical thinking as students read through the text and review key concepts.”

Dr. Jewrell Rivers, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

About this edition

• Publisher: Pearson College Div
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0205749003
• ISBN 13: 9780205749003
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 520