Sociology : a global introduction / John J. Macionis, Ken Plummer.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Third edition Sociology A Global IntroductionSociology: a global introduction represents a unique and complete learning resource for sociology students worldwide. International in outlook and culturally wide-ranging, it addresses the fundamental issue of how the modern world may be dramatically changing.Key features Sociology is made immediate and real, through diverse examples, illustration and statistical evidence A story is told. Consolidating previous editions' successful organisation, a broad picture of societies and cultures developing over time is painted. The globalised world order of today is shown in its richness - full of contradiction, inequality and achievement. Cutting-edge coverage and argument, firmly grounded in topical issues and current debates, bring the subject to life, engaging, exciting and challenging the reader.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Social shapes of the world Guide to boxes
• Preface
• About the authors
• Guided tour Acknowledgements
• Abbreviations
• Part 1 Introducing Sociology
• 1 The Sociological Imagination
• What is sociology?
• The sociological perspective in everyday life
• Social change and the origins of sociology
• Sociologists look to the future
• Summary Critical-thinking questions
• Going further
• Appendix
• 2 Surfing for sociology: an entrance 2
• What is the classical tradition of sociology?
• Starting a short tour of sociological theory
• Mainstream or 'classical' perspectives in sociology
• The newer perspectives in sociology: other voices and the postmodern
• Thinking globally: a global perspective in sociology
• Taking stock and looking ahead
• Summary Critical-thinking questions
• 3 Going further 3
• The basics of sociological investigation
• What is a sociological 'truth'?
• Matters of epistemology
• Making sense of sociological data
• The tools of sociological research
• Ethical, political and policy questions
• Putting it all together: planning a sociological project
• Summary Critical-thinking questions
• Going further
• Part 2 The Foundations of Society: from Macro to Micro The Foundations of Society: from Macro to Micro 4
• Explaining modern industrial society
• Karl Marx: capitalism and conflict
• Max Weber: the rationalisation of society and the disenchantment of the world
• Emile Durkheim: the bonds that tie us together: from mechanical to organic
• Reviewing the theories
• The contemporary shape of world societies
• Conclusion: change and societies
• Summary Critical-thinking questions
• 5 Going further 5
• What is culture?
• The major components of culture
• Cultural diversity: many ways of life in one world
• Understanding culture From culture to cultural studies
• Looking ahead: culture and human freedom
• Summary Critical-thinking questions
• 6 Going further 6
• 'Social Networks' and the rise of the network society
• Looking ahead: the network society
• Summary Critical-thinking questions
• 7 Going further 7
• The social construction of reality
• Becoming social: the process of socialisation
• Becoming biographies?
• Two theories of socialisation
• The life course and generations
• Constructing situations: Erving Goffman and drama
• Ethnomethodology and conversational analysis Identity
• The sociologies of the body and the emotions
• Conclusion: micro-sociology
• Summary Critical-thinking questions
• Going further
• part 3 Social Divisions and Social Inequalities Social Divisions and Social Inequalities 8
• What is social stratification?
• Closed and open systems of stratification: slavery, caste, estate and class
• Some examples of stratification at work: Japan and Russia
• The role of ideology: stratification's 'staying power'
• Explaining social stratification
• Marxist and neo-Marxist ideas on stratification and conflict
• Max Weber: class, status and power
• Stratification and technology in global perspective
• How might social stratification change in the future?