Sociology : a brief introduction / Richard T. Schaefer.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Understanding sociology -- Sociological research -- Culture -- Socialization and the life course -- Social interaction, groups, and social structure -- The mass media -- Deviance and social control -- Stratification and social mobility in the United States -- Global inequality -- Racial and ethnic inequality -- Stratification by gender -- The family and intimate relationships -- Religion and education -- Government and the economy -- Health and the environment -- Social change in the global community.

This revised edition of Richard T. Schaefer's "Sociology: A Brief Introduction" provides students with a comprehensive, up-to-date presentation of sociology. Students learn to think critically about society and their own lives from a wide range of classical and contemporary perspectives. Combining balanced coverage of theory with current research findings, examples that students can relate to, and abundant learning aids and exercises, the new edition continues to encourage the development of sociological imagination. New to the edition is the inclusion of an adaptive diagnostic tool and interactivities to help students master key concepts.