Our Social World: Introduction to Sociology introduces the discipline of sociology to the contemporary student and provides an integrated, comprehendible framework from which to view the world. In each chapter, authors Jeanne H. Ballantine and Keith A. Roberts provide an organizing theme that is not exclusively tied to one theoretical paradigm to help students see relationships between topics. This is an ideal text for undergraduate courses in introductory sociology such as Introduction to Sociology and Principles of Sociology.

Table of Contents

Part I: Understanding Our Social World: The Scientific Study of Society 1. Sociology: A Unique Way to View the World What is Sociology? Why Study Sociology...And What Do Sociologists Do? The Social World Model So What? 2. Examining the Social World: How Do We Know? The Development of Sociology as a Science Empirical Research and Social Theory How Sociologists Study the Social World Ethical Issues in Social Research Sociology's Major Theoretical Perspectives So What? Part II: Social Structure, Processes, and Control 3. Society and Culture: Hardware and Software of the Social World Society: The Hardware Culture: The Software Society, Culture, and Our Social World The Components of Culture Cultural Theory at the Micro-Level Cultural Theories at the Meso and Macro-Level Policy and Cultural Change The Fit Between Hardware and Software So What? 4. Socialization: Becoming Human and Humane Nature and Nurture The 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 Policy and Practice So What? 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: The Meso-Macro Connection National and Global Networks: The Macro-Level Policy Issues: Women and Globalization So What? 6. Deviance and Social Control: Sickos, Perverts, Freaks, and People Like Us What is Deviance? What Causes Deviant Behavior? Theoretical Perspectives Crime and Individuals: Micro-Level Analysis Crime and Organizations: Meso-Level Analysis National Issues and Global Comparisons: Macro-Level Analysis Controlling Crime: Policy Considerations So What? Part III: Inequality between Rich/Poor, Dominant/Minority, Male/Female: Are Some More Equal Than Others? 7. Stratification: Rich and Famous or Rags and Famine? The Importance of Stratification Theoretical Explanations of Stratification Individual's Social Status: The Micro Level Social Mobility: The Micro-Meso Connection Major Stratification Systems: Macro-Level Analysis Poverty: Multi-Level Determinants and Policy Macro-Level Stratification: National and Global Digital Divide So What? 8. Race and Ethnic Group Stratification: Beyond "We" and "They" What Characterizes Race and Ethnic Groups? Prejudice and Racism: Micro-Level Analysis Discrimination: Meso-Level Analysis Dominant and Minority Group Contact: Macro-Level Analysis The Effect of Prejudice, Racism, and Discrimination Policies Governing Minority and Dominant Group Relations So What? 9. Gender Stratification: (S)he...Who Goes First? Sex, Gender, and the Stratification System Gender Socialization: Micro and Meso-Level Analysis Macro-Level Processes of Gender Stratification Micro and Macro-Level Theories of Sex-Based Stratification Gender and Minority Group Status Costs and Consequences of Gender Stratification Changing Gender Stratification and Policy Considerations So What? Part IV: Institutions: The Structural Framework of Society 10. Family: Partner-Taking, People-Making, and Contract-Breaking What is a Family? Theoretical Perspectives on Family Family Dynamics: Micro-Level Processes Family as an Institution: Meso-Level Analysis National and Global Family Issues: Macro-Level Analysis Marriage, Divorce, and Social Policies So What? 11. Education: What are We Learning? State of the World's Education: An Overview Theoretical Perspectives on Education Who Does What? Micro-Level Interactions in Educational Organizations After the School Bell Rings: Meso-Level Analysis Is Education the Road to Opportunity? Stratification at the Macro-Level Educational Trends and Social Policy Issues So What? 12. Religion: Meaning Matters What Does Religion Do For Us? How Do Individuals Become Religious? Micro-Level Analysis Religion and Modern Life: Meso-Level Analysis Religion in Society: Macro-Level Analysis Religion in North America Social Policy: The Homosexuality Debates Religion in the Modern World So What? 13. Medicine: An Anatomy of Health and Illness Why is Health a Social Issue? Theoretical Perspectives on Health and Illness Micro-Level Analysis: The Status and Roles of the Sick Person Meso-Level Analysis: Modern Health Care Systems Macro-Level Analysis: Health Care and Policy Issues at National and Global Levels So What? Part V: Social Dynamics 14. Population and Urbanization: Living on Spaceship Earth Macro-Level Patterns in World Population Growth Meso-Level Analysis: Institutional Influence in Population Change Micro-Level Population Patterns Urbanization: Movement from Rural to Urban Areas Cities as Micro-Level Living Environments Meso-Level Organizational Structures: How Did Cities Evolve? Urban Problems, The Environment, and Social Policy: Macro-Level Perspectives So What? 15. The Process of Change: Can We Make a Difference? The Complexity of Change in Our Social World Social Change: Process and Theories Micro-Level Behavior and Change: Collective Behavior Meso-Level: Planned Change in Organizations Macro-Level Change: Social Movements Technology, Environment, and Change So What?

Author Biography

Through Jeanne's involvement in the American Sociological Association (ASA) Teaching Projects and as Director of the ASA Teaching Services Field Program (now Departmental Resources Group), she has studied the teaching process, the introductory course, and effective ways of teaching the course. She has produced written materials, contributed to the ASA introductory survey and syllabi set, conducted teaching workshops, trained and advised TA's, directed the Teaching Information Exchange (nationwide network for sociology instructors), held elected offices including chair of the ASA Section on Teaching and Learning in Sociology (2 times), ASA Section on Sociology of Education, and chair of the ASA Teaching Committee. Keith has not only won teaching awards, but has been honored by sociological associations for "distinguished contributions to teaching of sociology." He has published on teaching and conducted workshops around the country. He is a member of the Departmental Resources Group of the ASA, which among other activities involves consulting work with departments of sociology on curriculum and on teaching issues. He is the author of Religion in Sociological Perspective, an extremely well received text published by Wadsworth, now in its fourth edition. He has served on the ASA Teaching Committee and has chaired the Teaching Committee of the North Central Sociological Association. ASA invited Keith to chair the task force that laid the groundwork for an ETS Advanced Placement high school sociology course. He is currently on the Selection Committee for the ASA Distinguished Contributions to Teaching Award. He has taught a rather wide range of sociology courses at a two-year campus (15 years) and more recently at a very competitive small liberal arts college.