The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology

by Kerry Ferris, Jill Stein

Overview

The #1 book makes sociology relevant for students

Drawing on their extensive classroom experience, Ferris and Stein make sociology relevant with a textbook written for students rather than sociologists. Examples from everyday life, the media, and pop culture get students thinking sociologically about their relationships, jobs, and the future of society, while expanded global coverage helps students understand their place in our rapidly globalizing world. The book’s hands-on approach is supported by a redesigned Norton Illumine Ebook featuring embedded video, animated art, and interactive activities focused on sociological theory.

Highlights of the new edition:

• New discussions explore the impact of generative AI on how we learn, work, and play.?


• A thoroughly updated Chapter 7 on social class provides a more global picture of inequality, starting with a new opener on the glittery metropolis of Dubai.?


• New Global Perspectives features on topics such as the regulation of drugs and alcohol and national identity at the Olympic Games help students understand their place in our rapidly globalizing world.


• An enhanced Norton Illumine Ebook featuring a modern new design illuminates core concepts with new animated illustrations and integrated video clips.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781324116059
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	07/01/2026
Edition description:	Tenth Edition
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

Kerry Ferris is Associate Professor of Sociology at Northern Illinois University, where she teaches introduction to sociology, qualitative methods, mass media and popular culture, and sociology of food. She uses ethnographic methods and a symbolic interactionist approach to study celebrity as a system of social power. Her past studies have included analyses of fan-celebrity relations, celebrity sightings, celebrity stalking, red-carpet celebrity interviews, the work lives of professional celebrity impersonators, and the experiences of local celebrities. Her current project examines dead celebrities and their fans. Her work has been published in Symbolic Interaction, Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, The Journal of Popular Culture, and Text & Performance Quarterly. She is the coauthor, with Scott R. Harris, of Stargazing: Celebrity, Fame, and Social Interaction.

Jill Stein is Professor of Sociology at Santa Barbara City College, which was recently named the top community college in the United States by the Aspen Institute. She teaches introduction to sociology in both face-to-face and online formats every semester. She also teaches classes on social psychology, media, culture and society, and social problems. In addition, she is involved in many student-success initiatives at the local and state levels. Her research has examined narrative processes in twelve-step programs, the role of popular culture in higher learning, and group culture among professional rock musicians. Her work has been published in Symbolic Interaction, Youth & Society, and TRAILS: Teaching Resources and Innovations Library for Sociology.