Sociology: A Brief Introduction, 7/E Alex Thio, OhioUniversity ISBN-10: 0205547095 Unique for its blend of style and substance, this introductory text uses a balanced and systematic application of sociological theory throughout to help students see the difference between myths and realities about society. Highlights of the new edition Four new sections in each chapter examine sociology's connection to the world around us: *Sociological Frontier analyzes current social changes and trends. (For example: "Who Gets Tattoos and Why?") *Current Events looks at recent world events through a sociological lens. (For example: "The War Trauma in Women Soldiers.") *Today's Controversy investigates controversial issues in contemporary society. (For example: "Is the U.S. Losing Its World Leadership?") *For a Better Life uses insights from sociology to show how we can improve our lives. (For example: "Unleash the Power of Nice.")

Table of Contents

Brief Table of Contents: 1. The Essence of Sociology. The Study of Social Life. The Development of Sociology. Major Perspectives in Sociology. Sports: Illustrating the Three Perspectives. Major Research Methods. Sociological Frontiers: Deconstructing Society. Using Sociology: How to Change Our World. 2. Society and Culture. Building Blocks of Society. Societies in Sociocultural Evolution. Components of Culture. U.S. Culture. A Global Analysis of Culture. Sociological Perspectives on Culture. Sociological Frontiers: The New U.S. Society and Culture. Using Sociology: How to Enhance Your Cultural Competence. 3. Socialization. The Significance of Heredity. The Significance of Socialization. Processes of Socialization. Sociological Perspective on Socialization. Social Diversity in Socialization. A Global Analysis of Socialization. Agents of Socialization. Adult Socialization. Are We Puppets of Society? Sociological Frontiers: Peer Parenting. Using Sociology: How to Make Latchkey Kids Safe and Smart. 4. Social Interaction in Everyday Life. Sociological Perspectives on Social Interactions. Interaction as Symbolic Communication. Communication between Women and Men. Dramaturgy: Interaction as Drama. The Art of Managing Impressions. The Social Construction of Reality. Sociological Frontiers: The World of Online Chat. Using Sociology: How to Use Humor to Improve Your Life. 5. Groups and Organizations. Social Groups. Group Characteristics. Social Networks. Formal Organizations. Functionalist Perspective: Cooperating to Achieve a Common Goal. Conflict Perspective: Equality as Key to Organizational Success. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective: Defining the Situation in Organizations. The Threat of Organizations to Privacy. The Realities of Bureaucracy. A Global Analysis of Organizations. Sociological Frontiers: Is Cyberspace Lonely? Using Sociology: How to Reduce Wait Time in Lines. 6. Deviance and Control. What Is Deviance? Examples of Deviance. Functionalist Perspective: Functions and Dysfunctions. Conflict Perspective: Social Conflict or Inequality. Symbolic Interactionist Theory: Association, Reaction, and Interpretation. Social Diversity in Deviance. A Global Analysis of Deviance. Controlling Deviance. Sociological Frontiers: Shyness as a New Disease. Using Sociology: How to Manage Your Drinking. 7. U.S. and Global Stratification. The Bases of Stratification. Stratification Systems: A Global View. New Approaches to Stratification. The U.S. Class Structure. Poverty in the United States. Social Mobility in U.S. Society. Global Stratification. Sociological Perspectives on Stratification. Sociological Frontiers: Stratification in Cyberspace. Using Sociology: How to Become a Millionaire. 8. Race and Ethnicity. Sociological Definitions. Racial and Ethnic Diversity. Racial and Ethnic Relations. Prejudice and Discrimination. A Global Analysis of Race and Ethnicity. Sociological Frontiers: A New Theory about Child Abandonment. Using Sociology: How to Achieve Diversity without Preference. 9. Gender and Age. Gender Roles. Gender Socialization. Spheres of Gender Inequality. Consequences of Gender Inequality. Sociological Perspectives on Gender Inequality. The Aging Process. Social Diversity in Aging. The Future of Aging. Sociological Frontiers: The Games Girls Like to Play in Cyberspace. Using Sociology: How to reduce Gender Inequality. 10. Families. Families: A Global Analysis. Sociological Perspectives on the Family. Patterns of U.S. Marriages. Family Problems. Changes in the U.S. Family. Other Lifestyles. Social Diversity of U.S. Families. The Future of the Family. Sociological Frontiers: The Revival of Covenant Marriage. Using Sociology: How to Solve Marital Problems. 11. Education and Religion. Sociological Perspectives on Education. Education in the United States. Social Diversity in U.S. Education. Sociological Perspectives on Religion. Religion in the United States. Facing the Secular World: Confrontation or Compromise? A Global Analysis of Religion. Sociological Frontiers: Fanaticism and Terrorism. Using Sociology: How to Make It in College. 12. The Economy and Politics. The Economy in Perspective. The Worlds Economic Systems. The Dominance of Big Corporations. Work in the United States. Social Diversity in the U.S. Economy. Power and Authority. The World of U.S. Politics. Who Really Governs in U.S. Society? A Global Analysis of Political Violence. Sociological Frontiers: Politics Going Online. Using Sociology: How to Stop Terrorists from Killing Us. 13. Health and Population. Health and Society. Medical Care. Sociological Perspectives on Health and Medical Care. A Global Analysis of Population. Patterns of Population Change. Combating Population Growth. Sociological Frontiers: Societal Reaction to Stem Cell Research. Using Sociology: How to be a Savvy E-Patient. 14. Environment and Urbanization. Environment. A Global Analysis of Urbanization. Cities in the United States. The Urban Environment. The Nature of City Life. Causes of Urban Problems. Sociological Perspectives on Urbanization and City Life. Sociological Frontiers: The Future of U.S. Cities. Using Sociology: How to Revitalize the City. 15. Collective Behavior, Social Movements, and Social Change. The Study of Collective Behavior. Forms of Collective Behavior. A Global Analysis of Social Change. Functionalist Perspective: Gradual Change. Conflict Perspective: Revolutionary Change. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective: Changing Interaction. How U.S. Society Has Changed. Sociological Frontiers: What Our Future Will be Like. Using Sociology: How to Use Cellphones Properly. Glossary. References. Name Index. Subject Index.

Author Biography

Alex Thio is Professor of Sociology at Ohio University. Born of Chinese parentage in Penang, Malaysia, he grew up in a multicultural environment. He acquired fluency in Mandarin (modern standard Chinese), Malay, and Indonesian. He also picked up a smattering of English and Dutch. He took French and German in high school and college. Professor Thio attended primary school in Malaysia and high school in Indonesia. He then came to the United States and worked his way through Central Methodist College in Missouri, where he majored in social sciences. Later, he studied sociology as a graduate student at the State University of New York at Buffalo, and he completed his doctorate while working as a research and teaching assistant. Professor Thio regularly teaches courses in deviance, introductory sociology, social problems, and criminology. In addition to teaching, he enjoys writing. He is the author of the Sociology: A Brief Introduction, Society: Myths and Realities (Penguin Academic), and Deviant Behavior.