The author examines the field of sociology and the closing of many sociology departments and then proposes "an alternative, plsitive view of social research."--Jacket.

Reflecting a unique blend of style and scholarship, this student-friendly text is designed to help readers understand the relevance of sociology to their own lives. Clear, fast-paced, and lively writing helps make even complex concepts readable and interesting, while the presentation of social myths and realities in every chapter promotes truly critical thinking. This third edition is replete with new material, including a wide spectrum of today's global, multicultural, and gender issues as well as a new chapter on social interaction that covers both standard and unique subjects.

This eclectic reader introduces students to sociology's diversity as a science and profession. The book includes three readings for each of the 15 major topic areas: qualitative, quantitative or theoretical, and how sociology is applied and practiced in the real world. Anyone wanting a collection of readings that introduce sociology as a science and as a career.

Sociology has split into two groups, an elite core of departments and a considerably larger "mass" of departments, consisting of the "teaching schools" in the lower tiers of the US News and World Report ranking system. This book shows how professional sociology is accomplished at some of the teaching institutions.