Sociology For Dummies

by Gabler, Jay

• ISBN13: 9780470572368
• ISBN10: 0470572361
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-03-29
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Understand human and social interactions in an ever-changing world

Sociology is the study of human and societal interaction. Whether you're currently enrolled in a course or want to learn how to apply sociological concepts to your personal or professional life, Sociology For Dummies helps you understand how to scientifically analyze social organization and cultural structure.

-Discover the who, what, and where of sociology — wrap your head around the basics of sociology to get a handle on what it is, where it came from, and who practices it

-Put on your sociology sunglasses — learn how to look at society through the eyes of a sociologist to get a better understanding of culture, social networks, society and your place in it, and more

-Get a grip on the social status quo — find out how everything from race to sex and gender plays a role in social equality and inequality

-Organize (and disorganize) social organizations — discover what sociology tells us about how corporations, nonprofits, governments, and social movements work (and sometimes don't)

-Take a look in the mirror — understand how your life's course is inexplicably tied to your society

Open the book and find:

-The history of sociological study

-Social movements and political sociology

-The value and purpose of think tanks and research institutes

-Tips for thinking about the world in an objective way

-The lowdown on "Sociology's Power Trio" — Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber

-Methods for conducting socio-logical research

-The roles race, sex, and religion play in sociology

Learn to:

-Recognize the basics of how communities work

-Analyze the cultural impact that race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation have on society

-Use and interpret sociological research methods

-Identify the social construction and impact of crime and deviance

The first authoritative yet accessible guide to this broad and popular topic

-Provides a general overview of what sociology in as well as an in-depth look at some of the major concepts and theories

-Offers examples of how sociology can be applied and its importance to everyday life

Avoiding jargon, Sociology For Dummies will get you up to speed on this widely studied topic in no time.

Author Biography

Jay Gabler, PhD, is a writer, editor, and college professor. Gabler received his PhD from Harvard University and now teaches at Rasmussen College in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Part I: The Basic Basics.

Chapter 1: Sociology: Getting Your Head Around It.

Chapter 2: What Is Sociology, and Why Should I Care?

Chapter 3: Making It Up as They Went Along: The History of Sociology.

Chapter 4: Research Methods: Because You Can’t Put Society in a Test Tube.

Part II: Seeing Society Like a Sociologist.

Chapter 5: Socialization: What is “Culture,” and Where Can I Get Some?

Chapter 6: Microsociology: If Life Is a Game, What Are the Rules?

Chapter 7: Caught in the Web: The Power of Networks.

Part III: Equality and Inequality in Our Diverse World.

Chapter 8: Social Stratifi cation: We’re All Equal, But Some of Us Are More Equal Than Others.

Chapter 9: Gender and Ethnicity: I Know My Race, But Where’s the Finish Line?

Chapter 10: Getting Religion: Faith in the Modern World.

Chapter 11: Crime and Deviance: I Fought the Law . . . and I Won!

Part IV: All Together Now: The Ins and Outs of Social Organization.

Chapter 12: Corporate Culture: The Study of Organizations (and Disorganizations).

Chapter 13: The Rules of the Game: Social Movements and Political Sociology.

Chapter 14: Urban Sociology and Demographics: (Ain’t No) Love in the Heart of the City.

Part V: Sociology and Your Life.

Chapter 15: Get Born, Get a Job, Get a Kid, Get Out of Here: The Family and the Life Course.

Chapter 16: Future Passed: Understanding Social Change.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 17: Ten Sociology Books That Don’t Feel Like Homework.

Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Use Sociological Insight in Everyday Life.

Chapter 19: Ten Myths About Society Busted by Sociology.

Index.