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Sociology In Our Times

By Diana Kendall

12th Edition © 2023
Discipline:Sociology
Course:Introduction to Sociology
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Kendall's bestselling SOCIOLOGY IN OUR TIMES, 12th edition, illustrates the relevance of sociology through timely theories, research and examples. Many chapters open with first-person accounts of "lived experiences" students can relate to, providing a framework for learning. The author's engaging writing style, emphasis on applications and compelling examples further highlight sociology's relevance to all students. The first to integrate race, class and gender issues, the text is known for its thorough presentation of sociological theory, including contemporary perspectives such as feminism and postmodernism. Emphasizing social/global change and the contemporary world, the new edition covers such current debates as bullying and social media abuse, digital-age methods to increase school attendance, food trucks and the spread of culture, modern slavery and weight bias. Also available: MindTap.

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About this product

Kendall's bestselling SOCIOLOGY IN OUR TIMES, 12th edition, illustrates the relevance of sociology through timely theories, research and examples. Many chapters open with first-person accounts of "lived experiences" students can relate to, providing a framework for learning. The author's engaging writing style, emphasis on applications and compelling examples further highlight sociology's relevance to all students. The first to integrate race, class and gender issues, the text is known for its thorough presentation of sociological theory, including contemporary perspectives such as feminism and postmodernism. Emphasizing social/global change and the contemporary world, the new edition covers such current debates as bullying and social media abuse, digital-age methods to increase school attendance, food trucks and the spread of culture, modern slavery and weight bias. Also available: MindTap.

Emphasizing relevancy as a key concern, the text includes timely examples, current social debates and more recent research to better relate material to students' lives. New topics that showcase the application of sociology include bullying and social media abuse, digital-age methods to increase school attendance, food trucks and the spread of culture, modern slavery and weight bias.

A stronger emphasis on social and global change is supported by updated end-of-chapter sections that focus on looking ahead, change and the future.

Open and engaging, the book's streamlined design integrates relevant content from former Sociology Works!, Media Framing and Census Profiles boxed features into the narrative. In addition, vibrant, up-to-date images throughout bring chapter concepts to life.

Answers to the "Sociology and Everyday Life" chapter-opening quiz are included at the end of each chapter.

Table of contents

Chapters

Cover Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Part 1. Studying Society and Social Life
Part 2. Social Groups and Social Control
Part 3. Social Inequality
Part 4. Social Institutions
Part 5. Social Dynamics and Social Change
References

Part 1. Studying Society and Social Life

Chapter 1. The Sociological Perspective
Preview this section ↗
Putting Social Life into Perspective ↗
Subdisciplines in Sociology ↗
Why Should You Study Sociology? ↗
The Sociological Imagination ↗
The Importance of a Global Sociological Imagination ↗
The Development of Sociological Thinking ↗
The Development of Modern Sociology ↗
Early Thinkers: A Concern with Social Order and Stability ↗
Differing Views on the Status Quo: Stability or Change? ↗
The Beginnings of Sociology in the United States ↗
Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives ↗
Functionalist Perspectives ↗
Conflict Perspectives ↗
Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives ↗
Postmodern Perspectives ↗
Looking Ahead: Are Theory and/or Practice in Your Future? ↗
Questions & Answers ↗
Key Terms ↗
Questions for Critical Thinking ↗
Chapter 2. Sociological Research Methods
Social Media and the Teen Bullying and Suicide Crisis
Why Sociological Research Is Necessary
Common Sense and Sociological Research
Sociology and Scientific Evidence
The Theory and Research Cycle
The Sociological Research Process
The Quantitative Research Model
A Qualitative Research Model
Research Methods
Survey Research
Secondary Analysis of Existing Data
Field Research
Experiments
Multiple Methods: Triangulation
Ethical Issues in Sociological Research
The ASA Code of Ethics
The Zellner Research
Looking Ahead: Research, Social Change, and Your Future
Questions & Answers
Key Terms
Questions for Critical Thinking
Chapter 3. Culture
Culture and Society in a Changing World
Material Culture and Nonmaterial Culture
Cultural Universals
Components of Culture
Symbols
Language
Values
Norms
Technology, Cultural Change, and Diversity
Cultural Change
Cultural Diversity
Culture Shock
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
A Global Popular Culture?
High Culture and Popular Culture
Forms of Popular Culture
Sociological Analysis of Culture
Functionalist Perspectives
Conflict Perspectives
Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives
Postmodernist Perspectives
Looking Ahead: Culture, Social Change, and Your Future
Questions & Answers
Key Terms
Questions for Critical Thinking
Chapter 4. Socialization
Why Is Socialization Important Around the Globe?
Human Development: Biology and Society
Problems Associated with Social Isolation and Maltreatment
Social Psychological Theories of Human Development
Freud and the Psychoanalytic Perspective
Piaget and Cognitive Development
Kohlberg and the Stages of Moral Development
Gilligan’s View on Gender and Moral Development
Sociological Theories of Human Development
Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives on Socialization
Functionalist Perspectives on Socialization
Conflict Perspectives on Socialization
Agents of Socialization
The Family
The School
Peer Groups
Mass Media
Gender Socialization
Racial–Ethnic Socialization
Socialization throughout the Life Course
Childhood
Adolescence
Adulthood
Late Adulthood and Ageism
Resocialization
Voluntary Resocialization
Involuntary Resocialization
Looking Ahead: Socialization, Social Change, and Your Future
Questions & Answers
Key Terms
Questions for Critical Thinking

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