Barbara
Marliene Scott Mary Ann Schwartz, both of Northeastern Illinois
University
Copyright:
2000 Format: Paper, 525 pp
ISBN:
0-205-26780-7
Summary
Sociology:
Making Sense of the Social World is a unique introduction to sociology by two
experienced educators and social activists, featuring integrated coverage of social
stratification and inequality throughout; the theory and application of social change; and
the inclusion of feminism as one of the major sociological paradigms.
Three
goals of Sociology: Making Sense of the Social World are:
(1) Inclusiveness.
Race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and age are themes that are woven into every
chapter, focusing on the link between social structure and people's own personal
experiences. It also includes the work of many scholars and researchers that, until now,
has had limited exposure in introductory textbooks.
(2) A
Strong Theoretical Basis. The text is based upon social change theory, explaining
sociology through the process of individual (agency), collective (social movements),
structural, historical, and global change. It emphasizes that change is a two-way process
- meaning individuals can initiate and influence change, as well as be influenced by it.
It uses feminism as one of the major theoretical paradigms available for examining social
behavior.
(3) Student
Involvement. The text asks students to examine their own personal belief systems and
experiences, as well as societal and theoretical views of the many diverse experiences and
lifestyles of human beings. It also challenges them to overcome feelings of powerlessness
and pessimism that come with studying subjects such as racism, inequality, poverty, crime,
violence, etc.
The
authors are experienced textbook writers, most notably of Marriages and Families:
Diversity and Change, 3/e. Dr. Scott is Associate Professor and Department Chair at
Northeastern Illinois University, and has taught sociology and women's studies courses at
a number of Chicago-area schools. Scott is a long time scholar and civic and political
activist, as well as an advocate for people of African descent living in North America -
for Africana women specifically. Dr. Schwartz is Professor of Sociology and Women's
studies, having co-founded the Women's Studies Program at Northeastern Illinois. She has
over 35 years of teaching experience at both the high school and university level, and has
given numerous workshops on active student learning strategies. In addition to her
teaching and research, Dr. Schwartz is a long-time union activist.
Appropriate
Courses
Designed
for Introductory courses in Sociology.
Features
A brief
format (15 chapters) makes this text accessible for all types of classes.
Feminist
perspective woven throughout the text shows how gender is structured into the everyday
lives of women and men.
Focus on
social action and social change throughout emphasizes the role of individuals and groups
in affecting change. This approach serves to empower students, enabling them to see and
move beyond a "victim analysis" mode of viewing the world.
More
theory presented than in some books, but it is clearly explained and tied into various
topics and issues that show how sociologists use theory to explain both large-scale and
small-scale everyday occurrences.
Attention
to diversity; inclusive of race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, and age.
Chapter
openers profile individuals and organizations that have acted as agents of social change
throughout history.
Two
four-color inserts illustrate many key text themes: social movement and social activism;
global diffusion of culture; sexual exploitation of women and children; and diversity in
American society.
Literature
is used throughout as a springboard for emphasizing various sociological concepts and as
"data" that can be applied to the real life everyday experiences of diverse
individuals and groups, and to the pressing social issues we face in society.
A
complete chapter devoted to the important topic of sexuality.
An
Epilogue that encourages students to become involved in individual or collective actions
for change.
Table Of Contents
Each
chapter concludes with "Key Points to Remember," "Key Terms," "Key People,"
"Questions for Review and Discussion," "For Further Reading," "Sociology through
Literature," and "Internet Resources."
1. An
Introduction to Sociology.
Agent of Change: Craig Keilburger.
The Sociological Imagination.
The Development of Sociology.
Social Action, Social Policy, and Social Change.
Sociology for the Twenty-First Century.
2.
Thinking and Working Sociologically.
Agent of Change: Robert D. Bullard.
The Link between Theory and Research.
Thinking Sociologically: Theoretical Paradigms.
Doing Sociology: The Research Process.
Analyzing the Data and Drawing Conclusions.
Ethical Issues in the Conduct of Scientific Research.
The Politics of Doing Sociology.
Scientific Research in the Twenty-First Century.
3.
Social Change, Collective Behavior, and Social Action.
Agent of Change: Aung San Suu Kyi.
Understanding Social Change.
Collective Behavior, Social Action, and Social Change.
Social Movements.
Resistance to Social Change.
Predicting Social Change in the Twenty-First Century.
4. The
Dynamics of Social Behavior: Human Cultures.
Agent of Change: C. Delores Tucker.
What Is Culture?
Components of Culture.
Understanding Other Cultures.
Diversity within Cultures.
Multiculturalism versus Cultural Hegemony.
Understanding Culture: Theoretical Perspectives of Culture.
Cultural Trends in the Twenty-First Century.
5.
Social Structure, Groups, and Organizations.
Agent of Change: Amnesty International.
Understanding Social Structure.
Social Groups.
Formal Organizations.
Bureaucracies.
Social Institutions.
Structural Trends in the Twenty-First Century.
6.
Socialization: The Process of Becoming Human.
Agent of Change: Rob Carmona, Executive Director of STRIVE.
The Meaning of Socialization.
Understanding the Process of Socialization.
Agents of Socialization.
The Impact of Race, Class, and Gender on Socialization.
Socialization through the Life Course.
Desocialization, Resocialization, and Total Institutions.
Socialization Issues in the Twenty-First Century.
7.
Societies and Human Sexualities.
Agents of Change: Dr. Nafis Sadik, Carol Bellamy, and Dr. Hiroshi Nakajima.
The Sociology of Human Sexuality.
Human Sexuality across Time.
Sociological Theories on Human Sexuality.
The Social Construction of Human Sexuality.
Sexual Identities.
The Exercise of Power through Coercive Sexuality.
Sexual Responsibility.
The Look of Human Sexuality in the Twenty-First Century.
8.
Deviance.
Agent of Change: Dr. Jack Kevorkian.
Understanding Deviance.
The Range and Variability of Deviance.
Forms of Deviance.
Becoming Deviant: Theoretical Perspectives.
Deviance and Social Control in the Twenty-First Century.
9.
Social Stratification: The Structure of Inequalities.
Agent of Change: Mitch Snyder.
The Study of Social Stratification: Defining Concepts.
Variations in Systems of Stratification and Inequality.
Theoretical Perspectives on Socioeconomic Stratification.
Socioeconomic Stratification and Inequality in the United States.
A Closer Look at Social Class in the United States.
Stratification and Inequality beyond the United States.
Inequality in the Twenty-First Century.
10.
Race, Ethnicity, and Structured Inequalities.
Agent of Change: Viola Fauver and Gregg Liuzzo.
Race, Ethnicity, and the Sociological Imagination.
Racism as Ideology: Creating Racial, Ethnic, and Minority Groups.
Theories of Race and Ethnic Inequality.
Historical Patterns of Race and Ethnic Relations.
The Social Construction of Race and Ethnicity in the United States.
Race and Ethnicity in the Twenty-First Century.
11.
Inequalities of Gender and Age.
Agent of Change: Karen Nussbaum.
Understanding Gender Stratification.
Work and Gender in the United States.
Educational Inequities.
Gender and Political Structures.
Gender Inequality in the Twenty-First Century.
Agent of Change: Maggie Kuhn.
Aging and Society.
The Graying of America and the World.
Changing Age Norms.
America's Elderly.
Sociological Explanations of the Aging Process.
Aging in the Twenty-First Century.
12.
Marriages and Families: Intimacy in Social Life.
Agent of Change: Andrew Vachss.
Contrasting Views of Families.
Marriages and Families: Basic Concepts.
Marriages and Families Cross-Culturally.
Theoretical Views on Marriages and Families.
Developing Intimate Relationships.
The Intersection of Work and Family.
Divorce.
Single-Parent Families.
Death of a Spouse.
Remarriage.
Marriages and Families in the Twenty-First Century.
13.
Religion and Education
Agent of Change: Renny Golden.
The Interactive Influence of Religion and Education.
The Meaning of Religion.
Sociological Perspectives on Religion.
Forms of Religious Organization.
Religion in the United States.
Religion in the Twenty-First Century.
Education as a Social Institution.
Sociological Perspectives on Education.
Challenges and Issues in Contemporary Education.
Education in the Twenty-First Century.
14.
The Economy, Work, and Politics.
Agents of Change: Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and the United Farm Workers.
Types of Economic Systems.
The Global Economy: Challenges and Constraints.
The Meaning of Work.
The Relationship between Work and Society.
Agent of Change: Nelson Mandela.
The Nature of Power and Authority.
Types of Political Systems.
Shifting Political Sands.
Militarism and the Military.
Power and Politics in the Twenty-First Century.
15.
Health, Illness, and the Delivery of Health Care.
Agent of Change: Doctors without Borders.
Defining Concepts.
The Social Construction of Health and Illness.
Sociological Perspectives of Health and Illness.
Race, Class, Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Disabilities.
Health and Illness in Global Perspective.
Mental Health and Disorders in the United States.
Death and Dying.
Contemporary Issues in Health Care.
Health, Illness, and Health Care in the Twenty-First Century.
Epilogue:
Social Action: By Whom? Social Change: For Whom?
Introduction.
Social Action: By Whom?
Social Change: For Whom?
Responding to Social Change: Convergence, Conflict, or ...
Final Thoughts: Social Change and You.
Taking Action for Social Change.
