Sociology In Our Times,
12th Edition

Part I: STUDYING SOCIETY AND SOCIAL LIFE.
1. The Sociological Perspective.
2. Sociological Research Methods.
3. Culture.
4. Socialization.
Part II: SOCIAL GROUPS AND SOCIAL CONTROL.
5. Social Structure and Interaction in Everyday Life.
6. Groups and Organizations.
7. Deviance and Crime.
Part III: SOCIAL INEQUALITY.
8. Class and Stratification in the United States.
9. Global Stratification.
10. Race and Ethnicity.
11. Sex, Gender, and Sexuality.
12. Aging and Inequality Based on Age.
Part IV: SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
13. The Economy and Work in Global Perspective.
14. Politics and Government in Global Perspective.
15. Families and Intimate Relationships.
16. Education.
17. Religion.
18. Health, Health Care, and Disability.
Part V: SOCIAL DYNAMICS AND SOCIAL CHANGE.
19. Population and Urbanization.
20. Collective Behavior, Social Movements, and Social Change.

• Diana Kendall

  Diana Kendall is Professor of Sociology at Baylor University, where she has been recognized as an Outstanding Professor. She has taught a variety of courses, including Introduction to Sociology, Sociological Theory (undergraduate and graduate), Sociology of Medicine, Sociology of Law, and Race, Class and Gender. Previously, she enjoyed many years of teaching sociology and serving as chair of the Social and Behavioral Science Division at Austin Community College. Dr. Kendall's areas of specialization and primary research interests are sociological theory and the sociology of medicine. In addition to SOCIOLOGY IN OUR TIMES: THE ESSENTIALS, she is the author of THE POWER OF GOOD DEEDS: PRIVILEGED WOMEN AND THE SOCIAL REPRODUCTION OF THE UPPER CLASS (Rowman & Littlefield, 2002), MEMBERS ONLY: ELITE CLUBS AND THE PROCESS OF EXCLUSION (Rowman & Littlefield, 2008) and FRAMING CLASS: MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS OF WEALTH AND POVERTY IN AMERICA, 2nd Edition (Rowman & Littlefield, 2012). Her most recent scholarly publication is "Class: Still Alive and Reproducing in the United States," a book chapter in PRIVILEGE: A READER, 4th Edition (2016, Westview Press). Dr. Kendall is actively involved in national and regional sociological associations, including the American Sociological Association, the Society for the Study of Social Problems and the Southwestern Sociological Association. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was invited to membership in Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

• The 12th edition has been professionally reviewed and revised for cultural sensitivity, with particular emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion, including updates in the areas of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, global positioning and more. Terminology updates focus on eliminating bias in language and adopting the language marginalized communities use to self-describe. Revised content highlights experiences of diverse people and ensures more representative coverage in critical topic areas. The updated writing voice recognizes that readers come from diverse backgrounds with unique experiences.

• An engaging new interior design brings a refreshed and much more contemporary feel to the text. New photos throughout enhance currency, reflect contemporary social circumstances and technology as well as create balance in diverse representation of people and experiences.

• Statistics are updated throughout to represent the latest social data available. 2020 U.S. Census data are included where possible. Current statistics from organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PEW Research Center and Gallup are also included.

• Updated examples illustrate chapter concepts in a contemporary social context. Information related to the COVID-19 pandemic encourages discussions of shifts in current social experiences, such as health, education and the economy. New coverage also describes contemporary changes and experiences with work, the economy and the growing gaps among socioeconomic groups. Updates throughout reflect the policies of the current political administration and changes in the political sphere.

• Emphasizing relevancy as a key concern, the text includes timely examples, current social debates and more recent research to better relate material to students' lives. New topics that showcase the application of sociology include bullying and social media abuse, digital-age methods to increase school attendance, food trucks and the spread of culture, modern slavery and weight bias.

• A stronger emphasis on social and global change is supported by updated end-of-chapter sections that focus on looking ahead, change and the future.

• Open and engaging, the book's streamlined design integrates relevant content from former Sociology Works!, Media Framing and Census Profiles boxed features into the narrative. In addition, vibrant, up-to-date images throughout bring chapter concepts to life.

• Answers to the "Sociology and Everyday Life" chapter-opening quiz are included at the end of each chapter.

• Chapter-opening "lived experiences" highlighted in "Sociology and Everyday Life" boxes capture students' interest with such topics as bullying, social media abuse, suicide on campus, digital-age methods to increase school attendance, food trucks and the spread of culture, modern slavery, gender, sexuality and weight bias.

• Numbered Learning Objectives listed at the beginning of each chapter help focus students' reading as well as dovetail with the chapter summary, which is presented in a question-and-answer format to reinforce learning, aid in review and maximize retention.

• Recognized for unparalleled coverage of and attention to diversity, this book integrates diversity content in numerous ways. For example, the individuals portrayed and discussed in each chapter accurately mirror the diversity in society, thus speaking to a wide variety of students.

• The text includes the best research work of classical as well as established contemporary sociologists -- including women and people of color -- and weaves an inclusive treatment of all people into its examination of sociology. The author helps students consider the significance of the interlocking nature of individuals' class, race, gender and -- increasingly -- age in all aspects of social life.

• Emphasizing the relationship between sociology and everyday life, each chapter begins with a brief quiz that relates the sociological perspective to the social issues presented in the opening vignette. Additionally, "You Can Make a Difference" boxes are designed to help students get involved in their community by exploring ways they can address -- on a personal level -- issues raised by the chapter themes.

• The global implications of all topics are examined throughout each chapter and in the "Sociology in Global Perspective" boxes, which highlight our interconnected world and reveal how the sociological imagination extends beyond national borders.

• Critical thinking is emphasized through "Sociology and Social Policy boxes," which appear in more than half of the chapters and provide additional opportunities for sustained critical thinking.

• Helping students maximize their study time and course success, effective study tools include Concept Quick Reviews, Questions for Critical Thinking, Reflect & Analyze questions and end-of-chapter summaries present in a Q&A format.

Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

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