Society in Focus
An Introduction to Sociology
6th Edition
Published on 20. August 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
672 pages
978-0-205-51689-6 (ISBN)
Description
This comprehensive introductory text emphasizes the increasing diversity and globalization of societies everywhere, and the special role of mass media and information technology in contemporary society.
Reviews / Votes
"I have chosen Society in Focus because of its appeal to students, its organization, and its contemporary approach to social issues."Betty Daughenbaugh
Wor-Wic Community College
"Society in Focus has solid coverage of major concepts and principles, plus the inclusion of globalization and technomedia themes make it very timely."
Michael Miller
University of Texas - San Antonio
"Our faculty chose the text for several reasons: it possesses a rich yet focused approach to instruction, it is very current in recent research and thematic developments in the discipline, and it is rather grounded substantively; using popular culture references where appropriate - whcih gives greater context to sociological concepts."
Terence Stewart
Mott Community College
"The text provides integration of sociological theory throughout each chapter, and is very readable and affordable."
Terence Stewart
Mott Community College
More details
Edition
6th edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Pearson Education (US)
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 276 mm
Width: 214 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
1354 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-205-51689-6 (9780205516896)
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
Other editions
New editions
Book
07/2010
7th Edition
Pearson
€75.79
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Previous edition
William E. Thompson | Joseph V. Hickey
Society in Focus
An Introduction to Sociology (with Study Card)
Book
01/2007
5th Edition
Pearson
€69.59
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
William E. Thompson was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was the first member of his family to receive a high school diploma. He received his bachelor's degree from Northeastern State University, a master's degree from Missouri State University, and a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University. Professor Thompson has authored and coauthored more than 30 articles in professional journals, including several reprinted in sociology textbooks and readers. He has coauthored a textbook on juvenile delinquency. Thompson also is the author of The Glass House, a nonfiction account of his mother's two year battle with cancer and the lessons about life and living learned from her death and dying. Professor Thompson began his college teaching career at the University of Tulsa. He spent the next ten years at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. He is currently a professor of sociology and criminal justice and Director of Mayo College, a residential learning community for first-year students, at Texas A&M University - Commerce. He has also taught in the British Studies Program at Kings College, University of London. In 1993 Thompson received an Outstanding Teaching Award from the Texas Association of College Teachers, and in 1994 he won the Distinguished Faculty Award for Research and Teaching at Texas A&M University - Commerce. For fun and relaxation Thompson plays the drums.
Content
Part I THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
1 Discovering Sociology
What Is Sociology?
Sociology and Critical Thinking
The Development of Sociology
Contemporary Sociology
Looking to the Future: Sociology in the Twenty-First Century
2 Doing Sociology
Globalization, Diversity, and Types of Knowledge
Sociology and Scientific Knowledge
Types of Research and Research Designs
The Relationship between Theory and Methods
Social Research and the Media
Looking to the Future: Social Research in the Twenty-First Century
Part II THE SOCIAL FRAMEWORK
3 Culture and Society
What Is Culture?
Components of Culture
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
Globalization and Cultural Diversity
Sociological Approaches to Culture
Looking to the Future: Culture in the Twenty-First Century
4 Socialization
The Socialization Process
Major Agents of Socialization: A Global View
Socialization and the Life Course
Desocialization and Resocialization
Understanding Socialization: A Comparative Analysis
Looking to the Future: Socialization in the Twenty-First Century
5 Social Interaction in Everyday Life
Social Structure
Social Interaction
Sociological Approaches to Interaction in Everyday Life
Looking to the Future: Social Interaction in the Twenty-First Century
6 Social Groups and Organizations
Social Groups
Formal Organizations
Bureaucracies
Media Organizations and Change
Looking to the Future: Groups and Organizations in the Twenty-First Century
Part III SOCIAL DIFFERENTIATION AND INEQUALITY
7 Deviance and Conformity
Defining Deviance and Conformity: A Global View
Popular Explanations for Deviance
Sociological Analysis of Deviance and Conformity
Deviance, Conformity, and Social Control
Looking to the Future: Deviance and Conformity in the Twenty-First Century
8 Social Stratification and the USClass System
Understanding Social Stratification
Systems of Stratification
Determining Social Class Ranking
Social Classes in the United States
Poverty: Media Images and Reality
Social Class in the United States: Myth and Reality
Perspectives on Social Stratification
Looking to the Future: The US Class System in the Twenty-First Century
9 Global Stratification
Globalization and Economic Development
Global Stratification and Quality of Life
Explaining Global Stratification
Transnational Corporations: The Making of New "Haves" and "Have-Nots"
Looking to the Future: Global Stratification in the Twenty-First Century
10 Race and Ethnicity
Understanding Race and Ethnicity in a Global Society
Prejudice
Discrimination
Dominant-Minority Group Relations
Race and Ethnic Diversity in the United States
Looking to the Future: Race and Ethnic Relations in the Twenty-First Century
11Sex and Gender
Sex and Gender in a Global Society
Explaining Gender Differences
Sexism: Inequality Based on Sex and Gender
Feminism: The Struggle for Gender Equality
Looking to the Future: Sex and Gender in the Twenty-First Century
12 Age and the Elderly
Gerontology: The Study of Aging
Aging and Diversity: A Global Perspective
Growing Old in American Society
Sociological Explanations of the Aging Process
Looking to the Future: The Graying of America in the Twenty-First Century
Part IV SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
13 Families
What Is a Family?
Family Diversity: A Global Portrait
Sociological Approaches to the Family
US Families: In the Life Course
US Families: A Portrait of Social Diversity
Looking to the Future: Families in the Twenty-First Century
14 Education
Education in a Global Society
The Role of Education: A Functionalist Perspective
Education and Social Stratification: A Conflict Perspective
Education and Everyday Life: An Interactionist View
Contemporary Trends in American Education
Looking to the Future: Education in the Twenty-First Century
15 Religion
Defining Religion
Global Religious Diversity
The Social Organization of Religion
Religion and Society: Three Perspectives
Religious Movements in Focus
Religion and the Media
Religious Diversity in the United States
Looking to the Future: Religion in the Twenty-First Century
16 Politics and War
Power and Politics
Types of Authority
Politics and Influence
Globalization and Political Systems
Democracy: American Style
War, Nuclear War, and Society
Peace Organizations and Peace Movements
Looking to the Future: Global Politics in the Twenty-First Century
17 The Economy and Work
Sociology and the Study of the Economy
The Global Economy
The American Economy and Work
Work as a Social Phenomenon
Taking a Closer Look at the Economy and Work
Looking to the Future: The Economy and Work in the Twenty-First Century
18 Health and Medicine
Health and Sickness: A Global View
Health and Sickness in the United States
Medicine and Health Care: A Cross-Cultural View
Medicine and Health Care in the United States
Looking to the Future: Health and Medicine in the Twenty-First Century
Part V SOCIAL CHANGE
19 Population, Urbanization, and Ecology
Demography and Global Population
Population Growth
The Growth of Cities and Urbanization
Urban Sociology and Human Ecology
Human Ecology and the Environment
Looking to the Future: Population, Urbanization, and Ecology in the Twenty-First Century
20 Social Change, Collective Behavior, and the Future
What Is Social Change?
Sociological Approaches to Social Change
Collective Behavior
Social Movements
Looking to the Future: The Media, Social Change, and Life in the Twenty-First Century
Glossary
Bibliography
Name Index
Subject Index
Photo Credits
Text Credits