Preface
Instructors
A Personal Note to the Instructor
Acknowledgments
Part I: Understanding Our Social World
Chapter 1: Sociology: A Unique Way to View the World
Why Does Sociology Matter?
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 2: Examining the Social World: How Do We Know What We Know?
Sociology’s Major Theoretical Perspectives
How Sociologists Study the Social World
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Part II: Social Structure, Processes, And Control
Chapter 3: Society and Culture: Hardware and Software of Our Social World
The Components of Culture: Things and Thoughts
Society, Culture, and Our Social World
Fit Between Hardware and Software
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 4: Socialization: Becoming Human and Humane
Nature Versus Nurture—or Both Working Together?
Importance of Socialization
Socialization and the Social World
Development of the Self: Micro-Level Analysis
Socialization Throughout the Life Cycle
Agents of Socialization: The Micro–Meso Connection
Socialization and Macro-Level Issues
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 5: Interaction, Groups, and Organizations: Connections That Work
Networks and Connections in Our Social World
The Process of Interaction: Connections at the Micro Level
Groups in Our Social World: The Micro–Meso Connection
Organizations and Bureaucracies
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 6: Deviance and Social Control: Sickos, Weirdos, Freaks, and Folks Like Us
What Causes Deviant Behavior? Theoretical Perspectives
Crime and Individuals: Micro-Level Analysis
Crime and Organizations: Meso-Level Analysis
National and Global Crime: Macro-Level Analysis
Controlling Crime: Social Policy Considerations
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Part III: Inequality
Chapter 7: Economic Inequality: From Wealth to Want
Recognizing Inequality and Social Stratification
The Importance of Social Stratification
Theoretical Explanations of Stratification
Individuals’ Social Status
Social Mobility: The Micro–Meso Connection
Major Stratification Systems: Macro-Level Analysis
Poverty and Inequality from a Sociological Perspective
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 8: Racial and Ethnic Inequality: Beyond “Us” and “Them”
What Characterizes Racial and Ethnic Groups?
Prejudice and Discrimination
Dominant and Subordinate Group Relations: Macro-Level Analysis
Improving Group Relations: Policies to Reduce Prejudice, Racism, and Discrimination
Contributing To Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 9: Gender Inequality: She/He/They—Who Goes First?
Sex, Gender, and the Stratification System
Gender Socialization: Micro- to Meso-Level Analyses
Gender Stratification: Meso- and Macro-Level Processes
Gender Stratification: Micro- to Macro-Level Theories
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Part IV: Institutions
Chapter 10: Family: Partner Taking, People Making, and Contract Breaking
Importance of Institutions
Theoretical Perspectives on Family
Family Dynamics: Micro-Level Processes
Family as an Institution: Meso-Level Analysis
National and Global Family Issues: Macro-Level Analysis
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 11: Education: What Are We Learning?
The State of Education: An Overview
The Ins and Outs of Local Schools: Micro-Level Interactions in Educational Organizations
After the School Bell Rings: Meso-Level Analysis of Educational Organizations
Education, Society, and the Road to Opportunity: The Macro Level
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 12: Religion: The Social Meaning of Sacred Meaning
What Does Religion Do For Us?
Becoming Part of a Faith Community: Micro-Level Analysis
Religion and Modern Life: Meso-Level Analysis
Religion in Society: Macro-Level Analysis
Religion in The Modern World
Social Policy: Same-Sex Marriage and Ordination of LGBTQ+Ministers
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 13: Health Care: An Anatomy of Health and Illness
Why is Death a Social Issue?
Why Is Health a Social Issue?
Theoretical Perspectives on Health and Illness
Status and Roles of the Sick Person: Micro-Level Analysis
Modern Health Care Systems: Meso-Level Analysis
Health Care Issues at the National and Global Level: Macro-Level Analysis
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 14: Politics and Economics: Probing Power, Dissecting Distribution
Theoretical Perspectives on Power and Privilege
Individuals, Power, and Participation: Micro-Level Analysis
Power and Resource Distribution: Meso-Level Analysis
National and Global Systems: Macro-Level Analysis
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Part V: Social Dynamics
Chapter 15: Environmental Sociology: Population, Urbanization, and the Environment
Macro-Level Patterns in World Population Growth
Influences on Population Change
Urbanization: Movement From Rural to Urban Areas
Cities: Meso-Level Organizational Structures
People and the Environment
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 16: Process of Change: We Can Make a Difference!
Complexity of Change in Our Social World
Change at the Micro, Meso, and Macro Levels
Social Change: Process and Theories
Collective Behavior: Micro- to Meso-Level Change
Social Movements: Macro-Level Change
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Glossary
References
Index
About the Authors