Sociology

by Schaefer, Richard T.

• ISBN13: 9780072821222
• ISBN10: 0072821221
• Edition: 8th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-07-01
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill College

Summary

Three basic premises guide this highly successful introductory text: first, that theory and research must be both comprehensive and clear, second, that the text must show how sociology is relevant both to the study of society and to students' lives and third, that sociology can play a valuable role in teaching critical thinking skills. To that end, this well-respected text combines a balanced three-perspective approach with excellent student-oriented examples and distinctive social policy sections.

Table of Contents

List of Boxes

List of Social Policy Sections

List of Maps

Preface

The Sociological Perspective

Understanding Sociology

What Is Sociology?

The Sociological Imagination Sociology and the Social Sciences Sociology and Common Sense

What Is Sociological Theory?

The Development of Sociology Early Thinkers Émile

Durkheim Max Weber Karl Marx

Modern Developments

Major Theoretical Perspectives

Functionalist Perspective Conflict

Perspective Interactionist

Perspective Feminist Perspective

The Sociological Approach Developing the Sociological Imagination Theory in Practice Research in Action

The Significance of Social Inequality Speaking across Race, Gender, and National Boundaries Social Policy throughout the World

Sociology In The Global Community

Women in Public Places Worldwide

Research In Action

Looking at Sports from Four Theoretical Perspectives

Appendix: Careers in Sociology

Sociological Research

What Is the Scientific Method?

Defining the Problem Reviewing the Literature Formulating the Hypothesis Collecting and Analyzing Data Developing the Conclusion

In Summary

The Scientific Method Major Research Designs Surveys Observation Experiments Use of Existing Sources Ethics of Research

The Right to Know versus the Right to Privacy Preserving Confidentiality Neutrality and Politics in Research Technology and Sociological Research Social Policy and Sociological Research: Studying Human Sexuality

Sociology in the Global Community

'Sent-down' in China

Research in Action: Framing Survey Questions about Interracial Friendships

Taking Sociology to Work

Paul Donato, Chief Research Officer, NielsenMedia Research

Culture Culture and Society Development of Culture around the World Cultural Universals Innovation Globalization, Diffusion, and Technology Elements of Culture Language Norms Sanctions Values

Culture and the Dominant Ideology

Cultural Variation Aspects of Cultural Variation Attitudes toward Cultural Variation Social Policy and Culture: Bilingualism

Sociology in the Global Community

Life in the Global Village

Social Inequality

Cultural Sensitivity on the Beat

Socialization

The Role of Socialization Environment

The Impact of Isolation

The Influence of Heredity Sociobiology

The Self and Socialization Sociological Approaches to the Self Psychological Approaches to the Self Socialization and the Life Course

The Life Course Anticipatory Socialization and Resocialization Agents of Socialization Family School Peer Group Mass Media and Technology Workplace

The State Social Policy and Socialization: Child Care around the World

Sociology in the Global Community: Raising Amish Children

Research in Action

Impression Management by Students after Exams

Social Interaction and Social Structure

Social Interaction and Reality Defining and Reconstructing Reality Negotiated Order Elements of Social Structure Statuses

Social Roles Groups Social Networks and Technology Social Institutions

Social Structure in Global Perspective Tönnies's Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft Lenski's Sociocultural Evolution Approach

Social Policy and Social Structure: The AIDS Crisis

Research in Action

Women's Social Networks

Social Inequality

Disability as a Master Status

Groups and Organizations

Understanding Groups

Types of Groups Studying Small Groups

Understanding Organizations Formal Organizations and Bureaucracies Characteristics of a Bureaucracy Bureaucracy and Organizational

Culture Voluntary Associations Technology Impact on the Workplace Telecommuting Electronic Communication Social Policy and Or

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