Our Social World: Introduction to Sociology

by Jeanne H. Ballantine, Kathleen Odell Korgen

Overview

The Eighth Edition of Our Social World: Introduction to Sociology inspires readers to develop their sociological imaginations, to see the world and personal events from a new perspective, and to confront sociological issues on a day-to-day basis. The consistent application of the Social World Model across chapters helps encourage the practice of using three levels of analysis, and to view sociology as an integrated whole, rather than a set of disparate subjects.

Also available as a digital option (courseware). Learn more about 978-1-0718-8080-7, Our Social World: Introduction to Sociology - Vantage Learning Platform, Eighth Edition.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781071817735
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	11/10/2022
Edition description:	Eighth Edition
Pages:	592
Product dimensions:	8.38(w) x 10.88(h) x (d)

About the Author

Jeanne H. Ballantine is Emerita Professor of Sociology at Wright State University, a state university of about 17,000 students in Ohio. She has also taught at several 4-year colleges, including an “alternative” college and a traditionally Black college, and at international programs in universities abroad. She has been teaching introductory sociology for more than 30 years with a mission to introduce the uninitiated to the field and to help students see the usefulness and value in sociology. She has been active in the teaching movement, shaping curriculum, writing and presenting research on teaching, and offering workshops and consulting in regional, national, and international forums. She is a Fulbright Senior Scholar and serves as a Departmental Resources Group consultant and evaluator.

Jeanne has written several textbooks, all with the goal of reaching the student audience. As the original director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Wright State University, she scoured the literature on student learning and served as a mentor to teachers in a wide variety of disciplines. Local, regional, and national organizations have honored her for her teaching and for her contributions to helping others become effective teachers. In 1986, the American Sociological Association’s Section on Undergraduate Education (now called the Section on Teaching and Learning in Sociology) recognized her with the Hans O. Mauksch Award for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching of Sociology. In 2004, she was honored by the American Sociological Association with its Distinguished Contributions to Teaching Award. In 2010, the North Central Sociological Association awarded her the J. Milton Yinger Award for Distinguished Career in Sociology.

Kathleen Odell Korgen is Professor of Sociology at William Paterson University, a comprehensive university in Wayne, New Jersey. Kathleen enjoys teaching her students that sociology is a remarkably useful discipline and highlights how “Sociologists in Action” make a positive impact on society. Her published works on race relations and racial identity include From Black to Biracial, Crossing the Racial Divide, Multiracial Americans and Social Class, Race Policy and Multiracial Americans. Her teaching texts, in addition to Sociology in Action, include Our Social World, The Engaged Sociologist, Sociologists in Action, , and Social Problems in Action. Kathleen is also the editor of The Cambridge Handbook of Sociology.

Kathleen works as a consultant for other sociology departments as a member of the American Sociological Association Departmental Resources Group and received William Paterson University’s award for Excellence in Scholarship/Creative Expression in 2006 and the university’s award for Excellence in Teaching in 2014.

Table of Contents

Part I: Understanding Our Social World
Chapter 1: Sociology: A Unique Way to View the World
Chapter 2: Examining the Social World: How Do We Know What We Know?
Part II: Social Structure, Processes, and Control
Chapter 3: Society and Culture: Hardware and Software of Our Social World
Chapter 4: Socialization: Becoming Human and Humane
Chapter 5: Interaction, Groups, and Organizations: Connections That Work
Chapter 6: Deviance and Social Control: Sickos, Weirdos, Freaks, and Folks Like Us
Part III: Inequality
Chapter 7: Economic Inequality: Rich and Famous—Or Rags and Famine?
Chapter 8: Racial and Ethnic Inequality: Beyond “Us” and “Them”
Chapter 9: Gender Inequality: She/He/They—Who Goes First?
Part IV: Institutions
Chapter 10: Family: Partner Taking, People Making, and Contract Breaking
Chapter 11: Education: What Are We Learning?
Chapter 12: Religion: The Social Meaning of Sacred Meaning
Chapter 13: Health Care: An Anatomy of Health and Illness
Chapter 14: Politics and Economics: Probing Power, Dissecting Distribution
Part V: Social Dynamics
Chapter 15: Environmental Sociology: Population, Urbanization, and Climate Change
Chapter 16: Process of Change: We Can Make a Difference!

Editorial Reviews

This book introduces sociology to students in an exciting, relevant way that makes it come alive for them. [It] helps them to relate the field of sociology to their lives in an understandable manner.

Kristina Jensen

This text resonates with students who are new or returning students and those who are continuing their education.

Natasha Vannoy

An excellent resource for anyone teaching an Introduction to Sociology course.

Leslie Lamb

"I really enjoy the book. It is clear to understand, funny at times, and has great examples. "

Chantal Oba

"Finally, I think I have found a text that brings Sociology to life! Yet it is able to accomplish this task while also addressing the material I deem so necessary to the course and doing so in a way that promotes the application of theory to the subject matter. This is so well written I'm not sure the students will even realize they are learning theory! "

Dr. Martha Shockey

"I really enjoyed how it started off with a story as an example of what sociology is…I formed a picture in my mind that stayed there throughout the chapter. "

Student

"After extensive review this book was my choice sight unseen thanks to your terrific website. The NPR links from the study site are stellar! "

Michelle Ronda

“Unlike most textbooks that I have read, the breadth and depth of coverage…is very impressive. This text forces the students deep into the topics covered and challenges them to see the interconnectedness of them.”

Keith Kerr

"It is exciting to see a new offering such as Our Social World that is innovative in its pedagogical choices. It is an exceptionally well-organized and well-written text, and as such is an exciting new option for any introductory sociology class. This text strikes us as particularly effective at engaging students. It becomes quite evident that these two award-winning co-authors understand where students are coming from and which questions are most likely to engage them and push them to think analytically." —TEACHING SOCIOLOGY, reviewed by Catherine Fobes and Laura von Wallmenich

Catherine Fobes and Laura von Wallmenich

“The text is very thought-provoking, and gives the reader a sense of placement within society, however it may be defined. The book really helps positively reinforce what subjects our Professor lectures on. I definitely appreciate all the hard work that went in to this book, it has captured my curiosity and I'm sure it will continue to do so for quite some time.” - Houston Griffith, student at Virginia Tech

Houston Griffith

“I love the global emphasis, the applied material, and the emphasis on solutions to social problems.”

Gina Carreno

“This is my first time teaching this course, but I know the strong reputation of this text and it therefore was my first choice when I started prepping my Intro class.”

Ervin (Maliq) Matthew