Practical Skeptic

Core Concepts in Sociology

Häftad, Engelska, 2007

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"The Practical Skeptic" is a concise introduction to sociology that focuses on core concepts as the central building blocks for understanding sociology. Lisa McIntyre's straightforward, lively, even humorous style and her emphasis on critical thinking make this an engaging and user-friendly text for students of all levels. Through this conversational style students are able to grasp key sociological concepts and learn the essential lesson that there is much that goes on in the social world that escapes the sociologically untrained eye.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2007-10-01
Mått162 x 231 x 11 mm
Vikt394 g
FormatHäftad
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor279
Upplaga4
FörlagMcGraw-Hill Education - Europe
ISBN9780073404158

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Preface Introduction So, What is Sociology? The Value of Sociology to Students Tips for Studying Sociology-And An Invitation Chapter 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: Emile Durkheim EXCERPT: EMILE DURKHEIM, from Suicide (1897) and The Rules of the Sociological Method (1904) The Origins of Modern Sociology in Germany: Ferdinand Tonnies and Max Weber EXCERPT: FERDINAND TONNIES, from Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft (1887) Karl Marx The Origins of Modern Sociology in England: Herbert Spencer Sociology in the United States Box: One small step for sociology The Place of Sociology in Modern Society Chapter 2: The Sociological Eye The Focus on the Social Skepticism Box: Nail down that distinction between manifest and latent functions Chapter 3: Science and Fuzzy Objects: Specialization in Sociology Dividing Up the Task Topic Area or Subject Matter Theoretical Perspectives (Paradigms): Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionist Which Paradigm Is Correct? Levels of Analysis: Microsociology and Macrosociology Chapter 4: Who's Afraid of Sociology? The Empirical World and Inconvenient Facts Ethnocentrism Avoiding Ethnocentrism Can Be Difficult Cultural Relativism Chapter 5: The Vocabulary of Science Variables Hypotheses Kinds of Variables: Independent Versus Dependent Kinds of Relationships: Directionality Operational Definitions Tables and Figures Chapter 6: Doing Social Research Two Traditions: Quantitative and Qualitative Research First Things First: The Lit Review The Survey Box: Six guidelines for crafting survey-questions The Experiment Box: Five rules of doing true experiments Observation Unobtrusive (Nonreactive) Research The Importance of Triangulation Sampling Box: Ethics and social research Chapter 7: Culture Material and Nonmaterial Culture Box: The power of informal sanctions Box: What do Americans value? Box: Ideology Box: Ponder Box: Statements of Belief How It Adds Up Culture as a Product of Action Culture as a Conditioning Element of Further Action Box: Varieties of cultural wisdom Social Institutions Social Change: Cultural Diffusion and Leveling Subcultures and Countercultures Idiocultures EXCERPT: MARGARET VISSER, from Much Depends upon Dinner (1986) Chapter 8: Social Structure Statuses Roles Box: Tricky tricky situations Master Status Groups Chapter 9: Society and Social Institutions Societal Needs The Nature of Social Institutions Box: Polygamy and monogamy Social Change: The Trend Toward Increasing Specialization Chapter 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) Box: Rites of passage Resocialization and Total Institutions Ponder Chapter 11: Deviance and Social Control The Relativity of Deviance (What We Already Know) Nonsociological Theories of Deviance Sociological Theories of Deviance: Emile Durkheim and Suicide More Structural Strain: Robert Merton and Anomie Learning to Be Deviant: Howard Becker's Study of Marijuana Use The Societal Reaction Perspective: Labeling Theory The Functions of Deviance: Maintenance of the Status Quo and Social Change Box: Ponder Chapter 12: Stratification and Inequality Caste Systems Estate Systems Box: A year in the life of the peasant Class Systems Theoretical Conceptions of Class Box: Ponder Some Words About Slavery Social Mobility and Open Versus Closed Systems Chapter 13: Inequality and Achievement: Social Class Box: The Mathew effect Explaining Social Stratification Box: Beyond academics The Pygmalion Effect: The Power of Expectations The Fallacy of Hard Work Social Mobility, Social Structure, and Social Change Chapter 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 Box: Sex or gender? References Glossary/Index Credits