Page 23 - Essencials of Sociology

xxii To THE InSTRUCToR FRoM THE AUTHoR

available from commercial sources. As an example, while current and historical events (Chapters 7, 9, 13, and 15),
in the United States, I received a report about a feral child classic studies in the social sciences (Chapters 3 and 6), and
who had been discovered living with monkeys and who had even scenes from novels (Chapters 5 and 11). Students have
been taken to an orphanage in Cambodia. The possibility of often told me that they find the vignettes compelling, that
photographing and interviewing that child was one of the they stimulate interest in the chapter.
reasons that I went to Cambodia. That particular photo is
on page 68. Another of my favorites is on page 159. Thinking Critically about the Chapters I close each
chapter with critical thinking questions. Each question
Photo Essay on Subcultures To help students better focuses on a major feature of the chapter, asking students
understand subcultures, I have produced the photo essay to consider some issue. Many of the questions ask the
on subcultures in Chapter 2. Because this photo essay students to apply sociological findings and principles to
consists of photos taken by others, it is not a part of the their own lives.
series, Through the Author’s Lens. The variety of subcultures
featured in this photo essay, however, should be instructive On Sources Sociological data are found in an amazingly
to your students. wide variety of sources, and this text reflects that variety.
Cited throughout this text are standard journals such
Photo Collages Because sociology lends itself so well as the American Journal of Sociology, Social Problems,
to photographic illustrations, this text also includes photo American Sociological Review, and Journal of Marriage
collages. I am very pleased with the one in Chapter 1 and the Family, as well as more esoteric journals such
that features some of the many women who became as the Bulletin of the History of Medicine, Chronobiology
sociologists in earlier generations, as these women have International, and Western Journal of Black Studies. I have
largely gone unacknowledged as sociologists. In Chapter also drawn heavily from standard news sources, especially
2, students can catch a glimpse of the fascinating variety the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, as well as
that goes into the cultural relativity of beauty. The collage more unusual sources such as El País. In addition, I cite
in Chapter 5 illustrates categories, aggregates, and primary unpublished papers by sociologists.
and secondary groups, concepts that students sometimes
wrestle to distinguish. The photo collage in Chapter 10 lets
students see how differently gender is portrayed in different
cultures.
Acknowledgments
Other Special Pedagogical Features The gratifying response to earlier editions indicates

In addition to chapter summaries and reviews, key terms, that my efforts at making sociology down to earth have
and a comprehensive glossary, I have included several other succeeded. The years that have gone into writing this text
features to aid students in learning sociology. In Sum are a culmination of the many more years that preceded its
sections within the chapter help students review important writing—from graduate school to that equally demanding
points before they go on to new materials. I have also endeavor known as classroom teaching. No text, of course,
developed a series of Social Maps, which illustrate how comes solely from its author. Although I am responsible
social conditions vary by geography (see page xvii). These for the final words on the printed page, I have received
social maps, personally prepared, are unique to my texts. excellent feedback from instructors who used the first ten
editions. I am especially grateful to
Learning Objectives New to this edition are learning
objectives that are woven into the text. This feature
enhances your students’ mastery of the materials. As Reviewers
students move to a new section, they can understand
clearly what they are expected to learn in that section. Sandra L. Albrecht, University of Kansas; David Allen,
The learning objectives are repeated in the Summary and Georgia Southern University; Angelo A. Alonzo, Ohio
Review at the end of each chapter. State University; Kenneth Ambrose, Marshall University;
Alberto Arroyo, Baldwin–Wallace College; Karren
Chapter-Opening Vignettes These accounts feature Baird-Olsen, Kansas State University; Linda Barbera-
down-to-earth illustrations of a major aspect of each Stein, University of Illinois; Richard J. Biesanz, Corning
chapter’s content. Some are based on my research with the Community College; Charles A. Brawner III, Heartland
homeless, the time I spent with them on the streets and Community College; Shelly Breitenstein, Western Wisconsin
slept in their shelters (Chapters 1 and 8). Others recount Technical College; Richard D. Bucher, Baltimore City
my travels in Africa (Chapters 2 and 10) and Mexico Community College; Richard D. Clark, John Carroll
(Chapters 12 and 14). I also share my experiences when University; John K. Cochran, University of Oklahoma;
I spent a night with street people at Dupont Circle in Matthew Crist, Moberly Area Community College; Russell
Washington, D.C. (Chapter 4). For other vignettes, I use L. Curtis, University of Houston; William Danaher,