Editor's Choice Intersections Reader to Accompany Society in Focus,
Book
Paperback/Softback
174 pages
978-0-205-39229-2 (ISBN)
Description
A short, inexpensive collection of readings from Pearson Custom Publishing's Intersections database, selected by William E. Thompson and Joseph V. Hickey specifically to accompany their book, Society in Focus, 4/e.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Pearson Education (US)
Target group
Professional and scholarly
ISBN-13
978-0-205-39229-2 (9780205392292)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Content
1. "Invitation to Sociology," by Peter L. Berger (6 pp.).
The sociologist's passion for and curiosity about mundane elements of everyday life is highlighted in this selection from Peter Berger's classic book. Since the entire theme of Society in Focus is built upon Berger's premise that the "First Wisdom of Sociology is that things are not what they seem," this reading is especially appropriate to accompany the first chapter of Thompson/Hickey.
1.2. "What is Obvious? The Nature of Attitude Surveys," by Paul F. Lazersfeld (4pp.).
"What is "obvious," to social observers may not be empirically accurate. Lazarsfeld reveals the discrepancy that often exists between common sense and findings that result from sociological study. Expands Thompson/Hickey's discussion of "Common Sense versus Common Nonsense."
2. "Engagement and Ethical Responsibility in Field Work," by Arlene K. Daniels (8pp.).
Understanding the effect the researcher has on the research enterprise is a core idea in this article. She examines the ethical and practical problems that surround entry into the field and includes examples from her work on women volunteers to illustrate those issues. This helps elaborate on Thompson/Hickey's discussion of ethical issues in sociological research.
3. "We Am a Virtual Community," by Earl Babbie (11pp.).
In this examination of an emerging virtual community on the Internet, Earl Babbie describes various means of social control and expected forms of "netiquette" (rules of communication) among those who participate in that community. This reading fits nicely with Thompson/Hickey's concept of "technomedia" and its emerging influence on society and culture.
4. "The Looking-Glass Self," by Charles Cooley (5pp.)
In this classic article, the reader is invited to study Cooley's original treatment of the looking-glass self concept-a major component discussed in Thompson/Hickey's chapter on socialization.
5.6. "Dyads, Triads and Larger Groups," by Georg Simmel (6pp.).
This article presents Simmel's explanation and illustrates Thompson/Hickey's contention of how the size of the group affects social interation.
7. "The Meaning of Social Controls," by Peter Berger (9pp.).
Peter Berger introduces the concept of social control and discusses how informal social control mechanisms constrain human behavior in everyday interactions. Complements Thompson/Hickey's discussion of social control mechanisms regarding deviance and conformity.
8. "The Culture of Poverty," by Oscar Lewis (7pp.).
Oscar Lewis elaborates on his culture of poverty thesis. He contends that not all poor people live in a culture of poverty and that not everything associated with a culture of poverty is necessarily bad. Illustrates some of the concepts in Thompson/Hickey's chapter on social stratification and social class.
9. "Why the Rich are Getting Richer and the Poor Poorer," by Robert Reich (10 pp.).
In this selection, Robert Reich claims that the gap between rich and ppor is primarily attributed to competition in the international economy and the more global economy in general, not greed or any specific political or social ill in the United States. Puts social stratification in the U.S. in a global perspective, a main emphasis of Thompson/Hickey's chapter 9.
10. "Does TV Shape Ethnic Images?," by Robert S. Lichter and Linda Lichter (8pp.).
Tying in nicely with Thompson/Hickey's emphasis on the technomedia, this selection addresses the role of the media in shaping attitudes and beliefs about minorities.
11. "The Gender Blur," by Deborah Blum (9pp.).
This article addresses the question of how biology influences our behavior as gendered beings. Blum's argument that if there is a biological component to gender differences, we amplify it, adds meaning to Thompson/Hickey's section on the biological components of sex and the cultural components of gender.
12. "Why Can't a Woman Be More Like a Man and a Man Less Like a Racehorse?," by Gail Sheehy (14 pp.).
Sheehy's book Passages is a highly touted road map of adult life that examines the inevitable personality and sexual changes we go through in our 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond. This excerpt ties in nicely with Thompson/Hickey's discussion of aging and life stages.
13. "The Way We Weren't: The Myth and Reality of the 'Traditional' Family," by Stephanie Coontz (9pp.).
This article by Coontz is consistent with Thompson/Hickey's discussion of how the media has created a myth of the "traditional American family"-one that never really existed except in popular media images. Coontz illustrates how this myth is perpetuated in order to promote particular political and religious agendas.
14. "Classrooms as Socializing Agents: The Three R's and Beyond," by Eva Weisz and Barry Kanpol (9pp.).
Emphasizes Thompson/Hickey's point that the school is a major agent of socializtion teaching far more than just the cognitive aspects of culture. Weisz and Kanpol conceive the curriculum as an "on-going negotiation and construction of knowledge."
15. "In Search of the Sacred," by Barbara Kantrowitz (7pp.).
Barbara Kantrowitz explores the changing face of religion in the United States noting that many, expecially Baby Boomers, are taking a more eclectic approach to spirituality by combining elements from several religions to construct a religious path. This article enhances Thompson/Hickey's discussion of contemporary religion in the United States.
16. "The Power Elite," by C. Wright Mills (11pp.).
This piece examines the composition and role of the "power elite" in society-the political military industrial complex first described by Mills and discussed by Thompson/Hickey in this chapter.
17. "When Work Disappears," by William Julius Wilson (19pp.).
Wilson addresses the effect of joblessness on inner city neighborhoods-a theme discussed by Thompson/Hickey. He discusses how various structural and cultural forces have ontributed to the demise of inner city neighborhoods, as well as how key local and federal policies have contributed to the plight of these neighborhoods.
19. "Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft," by Ferdinand Tonnies (6pp.).
Tonnies classic distinction between two models of societal organization illustrates Thompson/Hickeys rural/urban continuum and how urbanization affects social life.
20. "How Will the Internet Change Society?," by Conrad L. Kanagy and Donald B. Kraybill (11pp.).
In keeping with Thompson/Hickey's emphasis on the technomedia, this aricle discusses the Internet as a virtual community whose norms, rituals and values are emerging.
The sociologist's passion for and curiosity about mundane elements of everyday life is highlighted in this selection from Peter Berger's classic book. Since the entire theme of Society in Focus is built upon Berger's premise that the "First Wisdom of Sociology is that things are not what they seem," this reading is especially appropriate to accompany the first chapter of Thompson/Hickey.
1.2. "What is Obvious? The Nature of Attitude Surveys," by Paul F. Lazersfeld (4pp.).
"What is "obvious," to social observers may not be empirically accurate. Lazarsfeld reveals the discrepancy that often exists between common sense and findings that result from sociological study. Expands Thompson/Hickey's discussion of "Common Sense versus Common Nonsense."
2. "Engagement and Ethical Responsibility in Field Work," by Arlene K. Daniels (8pp.).
Understanding the effect the researcher has on the research enterprise is a core idea in this article. She examines the ethical and practical problems that surround entry into the field and includes examples from her work on women volunteers to illustrate those issues. This helps elaborate on Thompson/Hickey's discussion of ethical issues in sociological research.
3. "We Am a Virtual Community," by Earl Babbie (11pp.).
In this examination of an emerging virtual community on the Internet, Earl Babbie describes various means of social control and expected forms of "netiquette" (rules of communication) among those who participate in that community. This reading fits nicely with Thompson/Hickey's concept of "technomedia" and its emerging influence on society and culture.
4. "The Looking-Glass Self," by Charles Cooley (5pp.)
In this classic article, the reader is invited to study Cooley's original treatment of the looking-glass self concept-a major component discussed in Thompson/Hickey's chapter on socialization.
5.6. "Dyads, Triads and Larger Groups," by Georg Simmel (6pp.).
This article presents Simmel's explanation and illustrates Thompson/Hickey's contention of how the size of the group affects social interation.
7. "The Meaning of Social Controls," by Peter Berger (9pp.).
Peter Berger introduces the concept of social control and discusses how informal social control mechanisms constrain human behavior in everyday interactions. Complements Thompson/Hickey's discussion of social control mechanisms regarding deviance and conformity.
8. "The Culture of Poverty," by Oscar Lewis (7pp.).
Oscar Lewis elaborates on his culture of poverty thesis. He contends that not all poor people live in a culture of poverty and that not everything associated with a culture of poverty is necessarily bad. Illustrates some of the concepts in Thompson/Hickey's chapter on social stratification and social class.
9. "Why the Rich are Getting Richer and the Poor Poorer," by Robert Reich (10 pp.).
In this selection, Robert Reich claims that the gap between rich and ppor is primarily attributed to competition in the international economy and the more global economy in general, not greed or any specific political or social ill in the United States. Puts social stratification in the U.S. in a global perspective, a main emphasis of Thompson/Hickey's chapter 9.
10. "Does TV Shape Ethnic Images?," by Robert S. Lichter and Linda Lichter (8pp.).
Tying in nicely with Thompson/Hickey's emphasis on the technomedia, this selection addresses the role of the media in shaping attitudes and beliefs about minorities.
11. "The Gender Blur," by Deborah Blum (9pp.).
This article addresses the question of how biology influences our behavior as gendered beings. Blum's argument that if there is a biological component to gender differences, we amplify it, adds meaning to Thompson/Hickey's section on the biological components of sex and the cultural components of gender.
12. "Why Can't a Woman Be More Like a Man and a Man Less Like a Racehorse?," by Gail Sheehy (14 pp.).
Sheehy's book Passages is a highly touted road map of adult life that examines the inevitable personality and sexual changes we go through in our 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond. This excerpt ties in nicely with Thompson/Hickey's discussion of aging and life stages.
13. "The Way We Weren't: The Myth and Reality of the 'Traditional' Family," by Stephanie Coontz (9pp.).
This article by Coontz is consistent with Thompson/Hickey's discussion of how the media has created a myth of the "traditional American family"-one that never really existed except in popular media images. Coontz illustrates how this myth is perpetuated in order to promote particular political and religious agendas.
14. "Classrooms as Socializing Agents: The Three R's and Beyond," by Eva Weisz and Barry Kanpol (9pp.).
Emphasizes Thompson/Hickey's point that the school is a major agent of socializtion teaching far more than just the cognitive aspects of culture. Weisz and Kanpol conceive the curriculum as an "on-going negotiation and construction of knowledge."
15. "In Search of the Sacred," by Barbara Kantrowitz (7pp.).
Barbara Kantrowitz explores the changing face of religion in the United States noting that many, expecially Baby Boomers, are taking a more eclectic approach to spirituality by combining elements from several religions to construct a religious path. This article enhances Thompson/Hickey's discussion of contemporary religion in the United States.
16. "The Power Elite," by C. Wright Mills (11pp.).
This piece examines the composition and role of the "power elite" in society-the political military industrial complex first described by Mills and discussed by Thompson/Hickey in this chapter.
17. "When Work Disappears," by William Julius Wilson (19pp.).
Wilson addresses the effect of joblessness on inner city neighborhoods-a theme discussed by Thompson/Hickey. He discusses how various structural and cultural forces have ontributed to the demise of inner city neighborhoods, as well as how key local and federal policies have contributed to the plight of these neighborhoods.
19. "Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft," by Ferdinand Tonnies (6pp.).
Tonnies classic distinction between two models of societal organization illustrates Thompson/Hickeys rural/urban continuum and how urbanization affects social life.
20. "How Will the Internet Change Society?," by Conrad L. Kanagy and Donald B. Kraybill (11pp.).
In keeping with Thompson/Hickey's emphasis on the technomedia, this aricle discusses the Internet as a virtual community whose norms, rituals and values are emerging.