Our Social World

Preface: To Our Readers
Instructors: How to Make This Book Work for You
A Personal Note to the Instructor
Acknowledgments
PART I: Understanding Our Social World: The Scientific Study of Society
Chapter 1 Sociology: A Unique Way to View the World
What Is Sociology?
Why Does Sociology Matter?
Social World Model
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 2 Examining the Social World: How Do We Know?
Development of Sociology
Sociology's Major Theoretical Perspectives
Ideas Underlying Science
How Sociologists Study the Social World
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
PART II: Social Structure, Processes, and Control
Chapter 3 Society and Culture: Hardware and Software of Our Social World
Society: The Hardware
Culture: The Software
Society, Culture, and Our Social World
Theories of Culture
Fit Between Hardware and Software
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 4 Socialization: Becoming Human and Humane
Nature Versus Nurture-or Both Working Together?
Importance of Socialization
Socialization and the Social World
Development of the Self: Micro-Level Analysis
Agents of Socialization: The Micro-Meso Connection
Socialization and Macro-Level Issues
Policy and Public Sociology
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 5 Interaction, Groups, and Organizations: Connections That Work
Networks and Connections in Our Social World
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
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 6 Deviance and Social Control: Sickos, Weirdos, Freaks, and Folks Like Us
What Is Deviance?
What Causes Deviant Behavior? Theoretical Perspectives
Crime and Individuals: Micro-Level Analysis
Crime and Organizations: Meso-Level Analysis
National and Global Crime: Macro-Level Analysis
Controlling Crime: Social Policy Considerations
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
PART III: Inequality
Chapter 7 Stratification: Rich and Famous-or Rags and Famine?
Importance of Social Stratification
Theoretical Explanations of Stratification
Individuals' Social Status: The Micro Level
Social Mobility: The Micro-Meso Connection
Major Stratification Systems: Macro-Level Analysis
Poverty and Social Policy
National and Global Digital Divide: Macro-Level Stratification
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 8 Race and Ethnic Group Stratification: Beyond "Us" and "Them"
What Characterizes Racial and Ethnic Groups?
Prejudice: Micro-Level Analysis
Discrimination: Meso-Level Analysis
Dominant and Minority Group Contact: Macro-Level Analysis
Policies Governing Minority and Dominant Group Relations
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 9 Gender Stratification: She/He-Who Goes First?
Sex, Gender, and the Stratification System
Gender Socialization: Micro- to Meso-Level Analyses
Gender Stratification: Meso- to Macro-Level Processes
Gender Stratification: Micro- to Macro-Level Theories
Costs and Consequences of Gender Stratification
Changing Gender Stratification and Social Policy
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
PART IV: Institutions
Importance of Institutions
Development of Modern Institutions
Connections Among Institutions
Chapter 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 Public Sociology
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 11 Education: What Are We Learning?
State of the World's Education: An Overview
Ins and Outs of Local Schools: Micro-Level Interactions in Educational Organizations
After the School Bell Rings: Meso-Level Analysis of Educational Organizations
Education, Society, and the Road to Opportunity: The Macro Level
Education and Public Policy
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 12 Religion: The Social Meaning of Sacred Meaning
What Does Religion Do for Us?
Becoming Part of a Faith Community: Micro-Level Analysis
Religion and Modern Life: Meso-Level Analysis
Religion in Society: Macro-Level Analysis
Religion in the Modern World
Social Policy: Same-Sex Marriage and Gay or Lesbian Clergy
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 13 Politics and Economics: Probing Power, Dissecting Distribution
What Is Power?
Power and Privilege in Our Social World
Theoretical Perspectives on Power and Privilege
Individuals, Power, and Participation: Micro-Level Analysis
Power and Resource Distribution: Meso-Level Analysis
National and Global Systems: Macro-Level Analysis
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 14 Health Care: An Anatomy of Health and Illness
Why Is Health a Social Issue?
Theoretical Perspectives on Health and Illness
Status and Roles of the Sick Person: Micro-Level Analysis
Modern Health Care Systems: Meso-Level Analysis
Health Care Issues at the National and Global Levels: Macro-Level Analysis
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
PART V: Social Dynamics
Chapter 15 Population and Urbanization: Living on Planet Earth
Macro-Level Patterns in World Population Growth
Meso-Level Institutional Influences on Population Change
Micro-Level Population Patterns
Urbanization: Movement From Rural to Urban Areas
Cities as Micro-Level Living Environments
How Did Cities Evolve? Meso-Level Organizational Structures
Urban Environment and Social Policy: Macro-Level Perspectives
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Chapter 16 Process of Change: We Can Make a Difference!
Complexity of Change in Our Social World
Social Change: Process and Theories
Collective Behavior: Micro- to Meso-Level Change
Planned Change in Organizations: Meso-Level Change
Social Movements: Macro-Level Change
Technology, Environment, and Change
What Have We Learned?
Discussion Questions
Key Terms
Contributing to Our Social World: What Can We Do?
Glossary
References
Index
About the Authors