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Sociology in Action
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Sociology in Action

Third Edition
Edited by:

Other Titles in:
Sociology (General)

February 2023 | 440 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Sociology in Action, Third Edition is an introductory text that encourages doing sociology through real-world activities that emphasize hands-on work, application, and learning by example. Each chapter is written by a specialist in that subject who also shares a passion for active learning. Edited by Kathleen Odell Korgen and Maxine P. Atkinson, this text explains sociology's key concepts and theories, and pairs that foundational coverage with a series of carefully developed, assignable learning activities that prompt students to think and reflect, observe, analyze, investigate, and apply what they are learning.

Kathleen Odell Korgen
Chapter 1. Training Your Sociological Eye
What Is Sociology?

 
Changing How You View the World

 
Sociology as a Social Science

 
Differentiating between Good Generalizations and Stereotypes

 
The Obligations of Sociology

 
The Benefits of Sociology

 
Kathleen S. Lowney
Chapter 2. Understanding Theory
Understanding the Structural Functionalist Perspective

 
Understanding the Conflict Theoretical Perspective

 
Understanding the Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

 
Full Theoretical Circle

 
Mikaila Mariel Lemonik Arthur and Amanda M. Jungels
Chapter 3. Using Research Methods
What Is Research?

 
What Are Data and Where Do We Get Them?

 
What Do We Do with Data?

 
Getting Started Doing Research

 
Sampling and Measurement

 
How Can You Recognize Good (and Bad) Research?

 
David E. Rohall
Chapter 4. Recognizing Culture
Defining Culture

 
Identifying Elements of Culture

 
Considering Cultural Variations

 
The Power of Culture

 
Amy Sodaro
Chapter 5. Understanding Socialization and Interaction
What Is Socialization?

 
Understanding Theories of Socialization

 
Agents of Socialization

 
Gender Socialization

 
Status, Social Roles, and Identity

 
Groups, Organizations, and Bureaucracies

 
Social Interaction

 
Rena C. Zito
Chapter 6. Identifying Deviant
Defining Deviance

 
Origins of the Sociology of Deviance

 
Creating Deviance

 
Managing Deviant Identities

 
Sandra Enos
Chapter 7. Confronting Economic Inequality
What Is Economic Inequality?

 
Meritocracy and the Functions of Inequality

 
Understanding Social Stratification

 
Examining the Class System

 
Mobility within and across Generations

 
Consequences of Inequality

 
Addressing Inequality

 
Maxine P. Atkinson
Chapter 8. Constructing Gender, Sex, and Sexuality
Defining Sex, Gender, Intersex, and Transgender

 
Using Theory to Understand Gender

 
Creating Gender and Sexual Identities, Recognizing Sexualities

 
Gender, Sexuality, and Work

 
Gender and Intimate Relationships

 
Kathleen Odell Korgen
Chapter 9. Recognizing the Importance of Race
Defining Race and Ethnicity

 
The Repercussions of Race

 
Discrimination by the U.S. Government

 
Racial and Ethnic Inequality Today

 
Racism and Ethnocentrism Globally

 
Responding (or Not) to Racism and Ethnocentrism Today

 
Richard A. Zdan
Chapter 10. Understanding Institutions: Politics and the Economy
The State, Power, and Legitimacy

 
Origins of the State

 
Forms of Legitimate Domination

 
Types of Government

 
Theoretical Approaches to Politics

 
Politics and the Economy

 
Modern Economic Systems

 
Beyond Politics and Economy: Communism and Fascism

 
Carissa Froyum
Chapter 11. Understanding Institutions: Family
What Shapes Families?

 
Changing Families across History

 
Understanding Families through Theory

 
Families Caring for Each Other

 
Family Problems

 
How Work and Policy Shape Families

 
Melissa S. Fry
Chapter 12. Understanding Institutions: Education
What Is Education as an Institution?

 
Education and Modes of Production

 
Theorizing Education

 
Education and Social Inequality in the United States

 
Global Education and Inequality

 
Leveling the Playing Field: Public Policy and Education in the United States

 
Amy Irby-Shasanmi
Chapter 13. Experiencing Health, Illness, and Medical Care
What Does Sociology Have to Do with Health, Illness, and Medical Care?

 
The Illness Experience

 
Medicalization

 
Explaining Health Disparities and Social Determinants of Health

 
Gender, Race, Ethnicity and Health

 
The U.S. Health Care System

 
Andrea N. Hunt
Chapter 14. Understanding Institutions: Religion
Defining Religion Sociologically

 
Religious Pluralism and Secularization

 
Religious Fundamentalism

 
Changing Religious Life in the United States

 
Global Diffusion of Religion

 
Applying Sociological Theory to Religion

 
Religion and Social Issues, Social Change, and Everyday Life

 
John Chung-En Liu
Chapter 15. Saving the Environment
Facing Our Environmental Challenges

 
How Do Sociologists Study Environmental Issues?

 
How Did We Mess Up? Theories of Environmental Change

 
Consumption and the Environment

 
Who Suffers Most from Environmental Problems?

 
Social Solutions to Environmental Problems

 
Wendy M. Christensen
Chapter 16. Changing Society through Social Movements
What Is a Social Movement?

 
Participating in Social Movements

 
Types of Social Movements

 
Social Movement Theory

 
The Six Steps of Social Movement Success

 
Success and Backlash: The Marriage Equality Movement

 
How Can We Create Social Change?

 
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index

Supplements

Instructor Site
LMS cartridge included with this title for use in Blackboard, Canvas, Brightspace by Desire2Learn (D2L), and Moodle

The LMS cartridge makes it easy to import this title’s instructor resources into your learning management system (LMS). These resources include:
  • Test banks
  • Editable chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides
  • Sample course syllabi
  • Lecture notes
  • All tables and figures from the textbook
Don’t use an LMS platform?

You can still access the online resources for this title via the password-protected Instructor Resource Site.

"Sociology in Action is perfect for all modes of education (hybrid, face-to-face, online, and flipped classes)."

Jeffrey Lentz
University of North Georgia

"The authors are very clear about what they want to cover. [It] also has great activities to go along with each chapter."

Tabitha Ingle
Georgia State University

"I appreciate that the text identifies one of the core commitments of sociology is to 'do something 'about social injustice."

Jamie Gusrang
Community College of Philadelphia

This textbook offers a wealth of practical activities and delivers content in a concise, easy-to-digest manner. Its structure and design make it an excellent resource for active learning environment, providing opportunities for student engagement and practical application of knowledge.

VIKTORIYA KIM
Graduate School of International Relations/College of International Relations, Ritsumeikan University
March 9, 2025