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Introduction to Sociology 3e

by Tonja R. Conerly, Kathleen Holmes and Asha Lal Tamang

Published by OpenStax

Social StudiesCollege

Introduction to Sociology 3e aligns to the topics and objectives of many introductory sociology courses. It is arranged in a manner that provides foundational sociological theories and contexts, then progresses through various aspects of human and societal interactions. The new edition is focused on driving meaningful and memorable learning experiences related to critical thinking about society and culture. The text includes comprehensive coverage of core concepts, discussions and data relevant to a diverse audience, and features that draw learners into the discipline in powerful and personal ways. Overall, Introduction to Sociology 3e aims to center the course and discipline as crucial elements for understanding relationships, society, and civic engagement; the authors seek to lay the foundation for students to apply what they learn throughout their lives and careers. The authors, reviewers, and the entire team worked to build understanding of the causes and impacts of discrimination and prejudice. Introduction to Sociology 3e contains dozens of examples of discrimination and its outcomes regarding social science, society, institutions, and individuals. The text seeks to strike a balance between confronting the damaging aspects of our culture and history and celebrating those who have driven change and overcome challenges. The core discussion of these topics are present in Chapter 11 on Race and Ethnicity, and Chapter 12 on Gender, Sex, and Sexuality, but their causes and effects are extensively discussed in the context of other topics, including education, law enforcement, government, healthcare, the economy, and so on. Together and when connected by an instructor, these elements have potential for deep and lasting effects. Changes made in Introduction to Sociology 3e are described in the preface to help instructors transition to the third edition. The second edition of Introduction to Sociology by OpenStax is available in web view here .

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Attribution

Adapted from Introduction to Sociology 3e by Tonja R. Conerly, Kathleen Holmes, and Asha Lal Tamang, published by OpenStax (Rice University) under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/). Access the original for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/introduction-sociology-3e. Changes: converted to CuraCourse lessons, with interactive practice added.

Table of contents

117 pages in 22 modules. Sign up to read and adopt them.

  1. Preface1 page
    1. Preface
  2. 1An Introduction to Sociology6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 1.1What Is Sociology?
    3. 1.2The History of Sociology
    4. 1.3Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology
    5. 1.4Why Study Sociology?
    6. Practice
  3. 2Sociological Research5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 2.1Approaches to Sociological Research
    3. 2.2Research Methods
    4. 2.3Ethical Concerns
    5. Practice
  4. 3Culture6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 3.1What Is Culture?
    3. 3.2Elements of Culture
    4. 3.3High, Low, Pop, Sub, Counter-culture and Cultural Change
    5. 3.4Theoretical Perspectives on Culture
    6. Practice
  5. 4Society and Social Interaction5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 4.1Types of Societies
    3. 4.2Theoretical Perspectives on Society
    4. 4.3Social Constructions of Reality
    5. Practice
  6. 5Socialization6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 5.1Theories of Self-Development
    3. 5.2Why Socialization Matters
    4. 5.3Agents of Socialization
    5. 5.4Socialization Across the Life Course
    6. Practice
  7. 6Groups and Organization5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 6.1Types of Groups
    3. 6.2Group Size and Structure
    4. 6.3Formal Organizations
    5. Practice
  8. 7Deviance, Crime, and Social Control5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 7.1Deviance and Control
    3. 7.2Theoretical Perspectives on Deviance and Crime
    4. 7.3Crime and the Law
    5. Practice
  9. 8Media and Technology6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 8.1Technology Today
    3. 8.2Media and Technology in Society
    4. 8.3Global Implications of Media and Technology
    5. 8.4Theoretical Perspectives on Media and Technology
    6. Practice
  10. 9Social Stratification in the United States6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 9.1What Is Social Stratification?
    3. 9.2Social Stratification and Mobility in the United States
    4. 9.3Global Stratification and Inequality
    5. 9.4Theoretical Perspectives on Social Stratification
    6. Practice
  11. 10Global Inequality5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 10.1Global Stratification and Classification
    3. 10.2Global Wealth and Poverty
    4. 10.3Theoretical Perspectives on Global Stratification
    5. Practice
  12. 11Race and Ethnicity7 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 11.1Racial, Ethnic, and Minority Groups
    3. 11.2Theoretical Perspectives on Race and Ethnicity
    4. 11.3Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism
    5. 11.4Intergroup Relationships
    6. 11.5Race and Ethnicity in the United States
    7. Practice
  13. 12Gender, Sex, and Sexuality5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 12.1Sex, Gender, Identity, and Expression
    3. 12.2Gender and Gender Inequality
    4. 12.3Sexuality
    5. Practice
  14. 13Aging and the Elderly6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 13.1Who Are the Elderly? Aging in Society
    3. 13.2The Process of Aging
    4. 13.3Challenges Facing the Elderly
    5. 13.4Theoretical Perspectives on Aging
    6. Practice
  15. 14Relationships, Marriage, and Family5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 14.1What Is Marriage? What Is a Family?
    3. 14.2Variations in Family Life
    4. 14.3Challenges Families Face
    5. Practice
  16. 15Religion5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 15.1The Sociological Approach to Religion
    3. 15.2World Religions
    4. 15.3Religion in the United States
    5. Practice
  17. 16Education5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 16.1Education around the World
    3. 16.2Theoretical Perspectives on Education
    4. 16.3Issues in Education
    5. Practice
  18. 17Government and Politics6 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 17.1Power and Authority
    3. 17.2Forms of Government
    4. 17.3Politics in the United States
    5. 17.4Theoretical Perspectives on Government and Power
    6. Practice
  19. 18Work and the Economy5 pages
    1. Introduction to Work and the Economy
    2. 18.1Economic Systems
    3. 18.2Globalization and the Economy
    4. 18.3Work in the United States
    5. Practice
  20. 19Health and Medicine7 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 19.1The Social Construction of Health
    3. 19.2Global Health
    4. 19.3Health in the United States
    5. 19.4Comparative Health and Medicine
    6. 19.5Theoretical Perspectives on Health and Medicine
    7. Practice
  21. 20Population, Urbanization, and the Environment5 pages
    1. Introduction
    2. 20.1Demography and Population
    3. 20.2Urbanization
    4. 20.3The Environment and Society
    5. Practice
  22. 21Social Movements and Social Change5 pages
    1. Introduction to Social Movements and Social Change
    2. 21.1Collective Behavior
    3. 21.2Social Movements
    4. 21.3Social Change
    5. Practice