Lisa J. McIntyre

The Practical Skeptic: Core Concepts in Sociology

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Using a conceptual organizing framework, this work provides a concise introduction to sociology that focuses on core concepts as the central building blocks for understanding sociology. Written in a conversational style, it uses numerous pedagogical features to help students grasp key sociological concepts.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: McGraw Hill LLC
• Revised
• Seitenzahl: 257
• Erscheinungstermin: Juni 2001
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 234mm x 164mm x 14mm
• Gewicht: 399g
• ISBN-13: 9780767420822
• ISBN-10: 0767420829
• Artikelnr.: 21673373

Inhaltsangabe

Preface Introduction
So, What is Sociology?
The Value of Sociology to Students
Tips for Studying Sociology-And An Invitation PART I. GETTING STARTED IN SOCIOLOGY 1. Responding to Chaos: A Brief History of Sociology
Inquiries into the Physical World
Technology, Urbanization, and Social Upheaval
The Origins of Modern Sociology in France:ile Durkheim
EXCERPT: ILE DURKHEIM, from Suicide (1897) and The Rules of the Sociological Method (1904)
The Origins of Modern Sociology in Germany: Ferdinand Tnnies and Max Weber
EXCERPT: FERDINAND TNIES, from Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft (1887)
Karl Marx (1818-1883)
The Origins of Modern Sociology in England: Herbert Spencer
Sociology in the United States
The Place of Sociology in Modern Society 2. The Sociological Eye
The Focus on the Social
Skepticism 3. Science and Fuzzy Objects: Specialization in Sociology
Dividing Up the Task
Topic Area or Subject Matter
Theoretical Perspectives (Paradigms): Functionalism, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionism
Which Paradigm Is Correct?
Levels of Analysis: Microsociology and Macrosociology 4. Whos Afraid of Sociology?
The Empirical World and Inconvenient Facts
Ethnocentrism
Avoiding Ethnocentrism Can Be Difficult
Cultural Relativism PART II. TOOLS OF SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH 5. The Vocabulary of Science
Variables
Hypotheses
Kinds of Variables: Independent Versus Dependent
Kinds of Relationships: Directionality
Operational Definitions
Tables and Figures 6. Doing Social Research
Two Traditions: Quantitative and Qualitative Research
First Things First: The Lit Review
The Survey
The Experiment
Observation
Unobtrusive (Nonreactive) Research
The Importance of Triangulation
Sampling PART III. THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 7. Culture
Material and Nonmaterial Culture
Values
How It Adds Up
Culture as a Product of Action
Culture as a Conditioning Element of Further Action
Social Institutions
Social Change: Cultural Diffusion and Leveling
EXCERPT: MARGARET VISSER, from Much Depends upon Dinner (1986)
Subcultures and Countercultures 8. Social Structure
Statuses
Roles
Master Status
Groups 9. Society and Social Institutions
Societal Needs
The Nature of Social Institutions
Institutions are Generally Unplanned, They Develop Gradually
How Institutions Begin: A Hypothetical Example
Institutions are Inherently Conservative. They Change, But Slowly A Particular Societys Institutions are Interdependent. Because of This, Change in One Institution Tends to Bring About Change in Others
The Statuses, Roles, Norms, and Values Associated with an Institution in One Society Frequently Bear Little Resemblance to Those in Another Societys Institution
Social Change: The Trend Toward Increasing Specialization PART IV. PEOPLE IN SOCIETY 10. Socialization
Nature and Nurture: Biological and Social Processes
How Socialization Works
EXCERPT: GEORGE HERBERT MEAD, from Play and Games in the Genesis of Self (1934)
Resocialization and Total Institutions 11. Deviance and Social Control
The Relativity of Deviance (What We Already Know)
Nonsociological Theories of Deviance
Sociological Theories of Deviance: ile Durkheim and Suicide
More Structural Strain: Robert Merton and Anomie
Learning to Be Deviant: Howard Beckers Study of Marijuana Use
The Societal Reaction Perspective: Labeling Theory
The Functions of Deviance: Maintenance of the Status Quo and Social Change PART V. INEQUALITY 12. Stratification and Inequality
Caste Systems
Estate Systems
EXCERPT: A Year in the Life of a Peasant
Class Systems
Theoretical Conceptions of Class
Some Words About Slavery
Social Mobility and Open Versus Closed Systems 13. Inequality and Achievement: Social Class
Explaining Social Stratification
The Pygmalion Effect: The Power of Expectations
The Fallacy of Hard Work
Social Mobility, Social Structure, and Social Change 14. Inequality and Ascription: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
Why a Dollar Is Not Always a Dollar
Prejudice
Discrimination
Discrimination and Isms
The Social Construction of Minority Groups
Gender References Glossary
Index * Each chapter ends with End of Chapter Review and Stop and Review: Answers and Discussion cial Institutions
Social Change: Cultural Diffusion and Leveling
EXCERPT: MARGARET VISSER, from Much Depends upon Dinner (1986)
Subcultures and Countercultures 8. Social Structure
Statuses
Roles
Master Status
Groups 9. Society and Social Institutions
Societal Needs
The Nature of Social Institutions
Institutions are Generally Unplanned, They Develop Gradually
How Institutions Begin: A Hypothetical Example
Institutions are Inherently Conservative. They Change, But Slowly A Particular Societys Institutions are Interdependent. Because of This, Change in One Institution Tends to Bring About Change in Others
The Statuses, Roles, Norms, and Values Associated with an Institution in One Society Frequently Bear Little Resemblance to Those in Another Societys Institution
Social Change: The Trend Toward Increasing Specialization PART IV. PEOPLE IN SOCIETY 10. Socialization
Nature and Nurture: Biological and Social Processes
How Socialization Works
EXCERPT: GEORGE HERBERT MEAD, from Play and Games in the Genesis of Self (1934)
Resocialization and Total Institutions 11. Deviance and Social Control
The Relativity of Deviance (What We Already Know)
Nonsociological Theories of Deviance
Sociological Theories of Deviance: ile Durkheim and Suicide
More Structural Strain: Robert Merton and Anomie
Learning to Be Deviant: Howard Beckers Study of Marijuana Use
The Societal Reaction Perspective: Labeling Theory
The Functions of Deviance: Maintenance of the Status Quo and Social Change PART V. INEQUALITY 12. Stratification and Inequality
Caste Systems
Estate Systems
EXCERPT: A Year in the Life of a Peasant
Class Systems
Theoretical Conceptions of Class
Some Words About Slavery
Social Mobility and Open Versus Closed Systems 13. Inequality and Achievement: Social Class
Explaining Social Stratification
The Pygmalion Effect: The Power of Expectations
The Fallacy of Hard Work
Social Mobility, Social Structure, and Social Change 14. Inequality and Ascription: Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
Why a Dollar Is Not Always a Dollar
Prejudice
Discrimination
Discrimination and Isms
The Social Construction of Minority Groups
Gender References Glossary
Index * Each chapter ends with End of Chapter Review and Stop and Review: Answers and Discussion