Sociology: The Essentials

by Margaret L. Andersen, Howard F. Taylor

SOCIOLOGY: THE ESSENTIALS, Fifth Edition, uses the theme of debunking myths to look behind the facades of everyday life; challenge ready-made, common-sense assumptions; and help students develop critical thinking skills and better understand how society is constructed and sustained. This thorough but streamlined text provides exceptional coverage of diversity, including social factors such as age, religion, sexual orientation, and region of residence, in addition to race, ethnicity, class, and gender. The text employs a reader-friendly presentation and very manageable structure, even while maintaining a strong focus on sociology concepts, methods, and research. The new edition includes coverage of the latest research and current trends and themes, including the impact of technology on sociological topics.

Genres: Sociology, Nonfiction, Textbooks, College, School, Philosophy, Science

519 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2000

About the author

Margaret Andersen is professor of Sociology and Women's Studies at the University of Delaware. She is the author of THINKING ABOUT WOMEN: SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON SEX AND GENDER; SOCIOLOGY: UNDERSTANDING A DIVERSE SOCIETY (with Howard F. Taylor); SOCIOLOGY: THE ESSENTIALS (with Howard F. Taylor); UNDERSTANDING SOCIETY: READINGS IN SOCIOLOGY (with Kim A. Logio and Howard F. Taylor); and SOCIAL PROBLEMS (with Frank R. Scarpitti and Laura L. O'Toole). She is the former president of the Eastern Sociological Society and has served as the editor of Gender and Society. She is the recipient of the University of Delaware's Excellence in Teaching Award and is one of three faculty members who recently received a grant from the Hewlett Foundation to transform undergraduate education through the development of new introductory level courses across the curriculum. She has recently served as Dean of the College of Arts and Science at the University of Delaware, where she is also the former Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. She currently serves as Acting Chair of the National Advisory Board for the Stanford University Center for Comparative Study in Race and Ethnicity.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've got to say for a textbook this is a pretty damn good book. It is quite well written, it held my attention, was informative and very interesting...and for a textbook that's saying a lot.

[Abid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to pass my CLEP test. I passed with a 60 and I definitely learned a lot from this.

[Lance Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this book depicts the current state of sociology…

I was looking forward to learning about sociology, but this book was more of a manual of right things to believe. I did learn a lot, however when a textbook contradicts itself in two factually authoritative ways multiple times a page apart, it is just… exhausting. I really hope sociology is way more scientifically minded than this textbook. Loads of citing but lacking critical thinking.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good for a textbook. Kept my attention and very informative.

[Aisha Manus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good book with lots of good information. A smidge outdated in some of the section but that is to be expected. a Good introduction to the topic and easy to read.

[Kat]

for my education...

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is hard to read.

[Lani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good, even for a textbook.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good