Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contenido: Taking a New Look at a Familiar World
– Introduction to sociological perspective
Building Reality: The Social Construction of Knowledge
– How society shapes perceptions and “truths”

Building Order: Culture and History
– Norms, values, and the development of culture

Interacting in Social Life
– Role theory, social interaction, and the presentation of self
Building Identity: Socialization
– How individuals become members of society
Supporting Identity: The Organization of Everyday Life
– Routine, institutions, and everyday behavior

Building Social Relationships: Intimacy and Families
– Family structures and changes in intimacy

Constructing Difference: Social Deviance
– Theories of deviance, labeling, and social control

Understanding Inequality: Stratification and Class
– Social class and life chances
Race and Ethnicity
– The social construction and consequences of racial categories
Gender and Sexuality
– Gender roles, identity, and inequality
Organizing Society: Institutions
– Education, religion, politics, and the economy
Global Dynamics and Social Change
– Globalization, modernity, and movements

The Fifth Edition includes:- Expanded discussion of theory - New and updated examples and statistical information as well as increased use of global examples throughout. - Six new visual essays - An accompanying website at www.pineforge.com/newman5study. - An extensive Instructor Resources on CD-Rom available to adopting lecturers.