Contemporary Society
An Introduction to Social Science
12th Edition
Published on 17. April 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
624 pages
978-0-205-57867-2 (ISBN)
Description
This best-selling text offers an integrated social science view of the world, emphasizing that social and cultural change are the pervasive realities of our era.
One of the main themes of Contemporary Society is that the transition from an industrial to a post-industrial order in the modern world is fraught with difficulties, as was the transition from an agricultural to an industrial order in an earlier era. Within this framework, we can observe the increasing fragmentation of the social order, which tends to lead people away from community and a common purpose and often invites conflict and disunity. At the same time, countervailing social forces are also at work, providing some stability, some shelter in the storm. Finally, societies are faced with the rapid and transformative power of information technology, a fact that propels separate groups of people into a global entity.
One of the main themes of Contemporary Society is that the transition from an industrial to a post-industrial order in the modern world is fraught with difficulties, as was the transition from an agricultural to an industrial order in an earlier era. Within this framework, we can observe the increasing fragmentation of the social order, which tends to lead people away from community and a common purpose and often invites conflict and disunity. At the same time, countervailing social forces are also at work, providing some stability, some shelter in the storm. Finally, societies are faced with the rapid and transformative power of information technology, a fact that propels separate groups of people into a global entity.
Reviews / Votes
"Most students from diverse disciplines have never taken a course that provided them with an integrated approach to the social sciences. I use this book to provide that experience."Ann Creighton-Zollar
Virginia Commonwealth University
"This course is taught in the psychology, politics, economics and sociology departments. We need a book that fits the needs of each department. I believe this book is the most appropriate for this course. It is a very comprehensive book because it addresses the commonalities found in each discipline and it dedicates one to two chapters to each field."
Margaret Tseng
Marymount University
More details
Edition
12th edition
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Inc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 186 mm
Width: 233 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
930 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-205-57867-2 (9780205578672)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
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John Perry | Erna Perry
Contemporary Society
An Introduction to Social Science Plus MySearchLab with eText -- Access Card Package
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02/2013
13th Edition
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06/2005
11th Edition
Routledge
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Content
IN THIS SECTION:
1.) BRIEF
2.) COMPREHENSIVE
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Chapter 1: Through the Lens of Science
Chapter 2: In the Beginning . . .
Chapter 3: Culture: Product and Guide to Life in Society
Chapter 4: Group Interaction: From Two to Millions
Chapter 5: Becoming a Person: The Birth of Personality
Chapter 6: Deviance and Criminality: The Need for Social Control
Chapter 7: The Great Divide: Ranking and Stratification
Chapter 8: Minority Status : Race and Ethnicity
Chapter 9: Minority Status: Age, Gender, and Sexuality
Chapter 10: From the Plow to the Computer: Change, Collective Behavior, and Social Movements
Chapter 11: Population, Urbanization, and Environment
Chapter 12: Pivotal Institutions: Marriage and the Family
Chapter 13: Pivotal Institutions: Religion and Education
Chapter 14: Government: The Institution and the Ideologies That Underlie It
Chapter 15: The Government of the United States of America
Chaper 16: Democracy in Action: We the People...
Chapter 17: The Economy: Concepts and History
Chapter 18: Principles of Economic Behavior : Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
Chapter 19: Nation Among Nations: Perspectives on International Relations
COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS:
*Every chapter concludes with "The Chapter in Brief," "Terms to Remember," "Suggested Reading," and "Websites of Interest."
1. Through the Lens of Science
The Social Sciences
The Social World Seen through the Lens of Science
The Scientific Method
The Social Science Disciplines
Research Methods in the Social Sciences
2. In the Beginning . . .
The Beginnings of Life
The Emergence of the Theory of Evolution
Genetics
The Long Trek: Human Evolution
Modern Humans: The Road to Homo Sapiens
Agriculture: Cultivation and Domestication
The Evolution of Human Nature
3. Culture: Product and Guide to Life in Society
Culture: Concept and Importance
The Symbolic Nature of Culture
Language: The Most Important System of Symbols
The Content of Culture
The Components of Nonmaterial Culture: Cognitive and Normative
Pivotal Institutions
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativity
Cultural Differences and Universals
4. Group Interaction: From Two to Millions
How Is the Social System Organized and Structured?
The Multiplicity of Statuses and Roles
Groups
Primary and Secondary Groups
Society
Interaction and Social Processes
Formal Organizations
Bureaucracy
5. Becoming a Person: The Birth of Personality
Personality
Becoming Human: Socialization
Goals and Functions of Socialization
Theories of Socialization
Agents of Socialization
Socialization through the Life Cycle
Some Conclusions
6. Deviance and Criminality: The Need for Social Control
Deviance
The Relative Nature of Deviance
Explaining Deviance
Mental Disorders
Deviance as Seen from a Sociological Perspective
Crime: Deviance that Hurts
Crime Statistics: How Much Crime, and Who Commits It?
7. The Great Divide: Ranking and Stratification
Social Differentiation, Ranking, and Stratification
Stratification
Theoretical Views on Stratification
Dimensions of Stratification: Class, Status, and Power
Systems of Stratification
Determining Social Class
Social Classes in the United States
Social Class and its Consequences
Social Mobility
8. Minority Status : Race and Ethnicity
Majority - Minority Relations: Defining the Terms
Common Characteristics of Minorities
The Making of Pluralist Society
Majority and Minorities: Processes of Coexistence
In the Way: Obstacles to Pluralism
Racial Minorities
Ethnic and Religious Minorities
The New Face of America
9. Minority Status: Age, Gender, and Sexuality
The Aging Society
Women: Differentiation According to Gender
The Cultural Construction of Gender
Sexuality
Explanatory Theories of Homosexuality
10. From the Plow to the Computer: Change, Collective Behavior, and Social Movements
Society and Change
Processes of Social and Cultural Change
The Industrial Revolution
Modernization
Collective Behavior
Social Movements
Revolutionary Movements
11. Population, Urbanization, and Environment
Demographic Processes: Dynamics of Population Change
Characteristics and Composition of a Population
Population Around the World
The Urban Society
Metropolitanization and Megalopolis
The Natural Environment
12. Pivotal Institutions: Marriage and the Family
The Basic Institution: The Family
Marriage
Divorce
The New American Family
13. Pivotal Institutions: Religion and Education
The Great Religions of the World
Religion in the Social Sciences
Religion and Social Control
Religion in America
Education
14. Government: The Institution and the Ideologies That Underlie It
The Institution of Government
Government and Politics
Political Power: Legitimacy and Authority
The State
The Nation State
Nationalism
The Ideologies Behind the State
Autocratic Ideologies
Democratic Ideologies: Democracy
Socialism
15. The Government of the United States of America.
The Constitutional Convention
What Is a Constitution?
The Constitution of the United States
Separation of Powers
The Presidency: The Executive Branch
Congress: The Legislative Branch
The Supreme Court: The Judicial Branch
The Importance of Limited Government.
16. Democracy in Action: We the People....
American Democracy
How Is America Governed?
Interest Groups
Political Parties
The High Cost of Campaigning
Voting
Political Opinionmaking
17. The Economy: Concepts and History
The Economic Institution
Contemporary Economic Systems: How Choices Are Made
Western Economies in Historical Perspective
Aspects of Industrial Capitalism
The Nature of Work in the Industrial Society
The Corporate Bureaucracy
The American Labor Movement
American Labor and the Global Economy
18. Principles of Economic Behavior : Microeconomics and Macroeconomics.
The Small Picture and the Large Picture
Market Mechanisms
Market Forces
A Macro View
Instruments of Public Policy
Fiscal Policy
Monetary Policy
Incomes Policy
19. Nation Among Nations: Perspectives on International Relations
Regions of the World
Theoretical Perspectives
Contemporary Perspectives
Participants in the International System
The Goals of States
Means of Achieving Goals: Foreign Policy
The Role of Ideology
Instruments of Foreign Policy
Diplomacy and Diplomats
Power
The Balance of Power System
1.) BRIEF
2.) COMPREHENSIVE
BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Chapter 1: Through the Lens of Science
Chapter 2: In the Beginning . . .
Chapter 3: Culture: Product and Guide to Life in Society
Chapter 4: Group Interaction: From Two to Millions
Chapter 5: Becoming a Person: The Birth of Personality
Chapter 6: Deviance and Criminality: The Need for Social Control
Chapter 7: The Great Divide: Ranking and Stratification
Chapter 8: Minority Status : Race and Ethnicity
Chapter 9: Minority Status: Age, Gender, and Sexuality
Chapter 10: From the Plow to the Computer: Change, Collective Behavior, and Social Movements
Chapter 11: Population, Urbanization, and Environment
Chapter 12: Pivotal Institutions: Marriage and the Family
Chapter 13: Pivotal Institutions: Religion and Education
Chapter 14: Government: The Institution and the Ideologies That Underlie It
Chapter 15: The Government of the United States of America
Chaper 16: Democracy in Action: We the People...
Chapter 17: The Economy: Concepts and History
Chapter 18: Principles of Economic Behavior : Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
Chapter 19: Nation Among Nations: Perspectives on International Relations
COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS:
*Every chapter concludes with "The Chapter in Brief," "Terms to Remember," "Suggested Reading," and "Websites of Interest."
1. Through the Lens of Science
The Social Sciences
The Social World Seen through the Lens of Science
The Scientific Method
The Social Science Disciplines
Research Methods in the Social Sciences
2. In the Beginning . . .
The Beginnings of Life
The Emergence of the Theory of Evolution
Genetics
The Long Trek: Human Evolution
Modern Humans: The Road to Homo Sapiens
Agriculture: Cultivation and Domestication
The Evolution of Human Nature
3. Culture: Product and Guide to Life in Society
Culture: Concept and Importance
The Symbolic Nature of Culture
Language: The Most Important System of Symbols
The Content of Culture
The Components of Nonmaterial Culture: Cognitive and Normative
Pivotal Institutions
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativity
Cultural Differences and Universals
4. Group Interaction: From Two to Millions
How Is the Social System Organized and Structured?
The Multiplicity of Statuses and Roles
Groups
Primary and Secondary Groups
Society
Interaction and Social Processes
Formal Organizations
Bureaucracy
5. Becoming a Person: The Birth of Personality
Personality
Becoming Human: Socialization
Goals and Functions of Socialization
Theories of Socialization
Agents of Socialization
Socialization through the Life Cycle
Some Conclusions
6. Deviance and Criminality: The Need for Social Control
Deviance
The Relative Nature of Deviance
Explaining Deviance
Mental Disorders
Deviance as Seen from a Sociological Perspective
Crime: Deviance that Hurts
Crime Statistics: How Much Crime, and Who Commits It?
7. The Great Divide: Ranking and Stratification
Social Differentiation, Ranking, and Stratification
Stratification
Theoretical Views on Stratification
Dimensions of Stratification: Class, Status, and Power
Systems of Stratification
Determining Social Class
Social Classes in the United States
Social Class and its Consequences
Social Mobility
8. Minority Status : Race and Ethnicity
Majority - Minority Relations: Defining the Terms
Common Characteristics of Minorities
The Making of Pluralist Society
Majority and Minorities: Processes of Coexistence
In the Way: Obstacles to Pluralism
Racial Minorities
Ethnic and Religious Minorities
The New Face of America
9. Minority Status: Age, Gender, and Sexuality
The Aging Society
Women: Differentiation According to Gender
The Cultural Construction of Gender
Sexuality
Explanatory Theories of Homosexuality
10. From the Plow to the Computer: Change, Collective Behavior, and Social Movements
Society and Change
Processes of Social and Cultural Change
The Industrial Revolution
Modernization
Collective Behavior
Social Movements
Revolutionary Movements
11. Population, Urbanization, and Environment
Demographic Processes: Dynamics of Population Change
Characteristics and Composition of a Population
Population Around the World
The Urban Society
Metropolitanization and Megalopolis
The Natural Environment
12. Pivotal Institutions: Marriage and the Family
The Basic Institution: The Family
Marriage
Divorce
The New American Family
13. Pivotal Institutions: Religion and Education
The Great Religions of the World
Religion in the Social Sciences
Religion and Social Control
Religion in America
Education
14. Government: The Institution and the Ideologies That Underlie It
The Institution of Government
Government and Politics
Political Power: Legitimacy and Authority
The State
The Nation State
Nationalism
The Ideologies Behind the State
Autocratic Ideologies
Democratic Ideologies: Democracy
Socialism
15. The Government of the United States of America.
The Constitutional Convention
What Is a Constitution?
The Constitution of the United States
Separation of Powers
The Presidency: The Executive Branch
Congress: The Legislative Branch
The Supreme Court: The Judicial Branch
The Importance of Limited Government.
16. Democracy in Action: We the People....
American Democracy
How Is America Governed?
Interest Groups
Political Parties
The High Cost of Campaigning
Voting
Political Opinionmaking
17. The Economy: Concepts and History
The Economic Institution
Contemporary Economic Systems: How Choices Are Made
Western Economies in Historical Perspective
Aspects of Industrial Capitalism
The Nature of Work in the Industrial Society
The Corporate Bureaucracy
The American Labor Movement
American Labor and the Global Economy
18. Principles of Economic Behavior : Microeconomics and Macroeconomics.
The Small Picture and the Large Picture
Market Mechanisms
Market Forces
A Macro View
Instruments of Public Policy
Fiscal Policy
Monetary Policy
Incomes Policy
19. Nation Among Nations: Perspectives on International Relations
Regions of the World
Theoretical Perspectives
Contemporary Perspectives
Participants in the International System
The Goals of States
Means of Achieving Goals: Foreign Policy
The Role of Ideology
Instruments of Foreign Policy
Diplomacy and Diplomats
Power
The Balance of Power System