Sociology: Reference Sources

Focuses on traditional areas of sociological inquiry, as well as documenting the general orientation of the newer and currently emerging areas of sociological inquiry. Addresses various traditional subfields, such as political sociology, educational sociology, rural sociology, criminology, occupational sociology, and minority relations, as well as new, evolving subfields.

This one-volume dictionary defines often amorphous and fuzzy sociological concepts in a lively and sensible way, and provides an introduction to what it means to think sociologically.

Addresses important topics, events, and persons relevant to race and ethnicity in society. Also addresses other issues of inequality that intersect with race and ethnicity, including ability status, age, class, gender, and sexual orientation.

Offers an interdisciplinary perspective into many social issues that are a continuing concern in our lives, whether we confront them on a personal, local, regional, national, or global level. Covers all of the major theories, approaches, and contemporary issues in social problems and also provides insight into how social conditions get defined as social problems, and the ways different people and organizations view and try to solve them.

Reference source for anyone interested in the roots of contemporary social theory. The encyclopedia examines the global landscape of all the key theories and the theorists behind them, presenting them in the context needed to understand their strengths and weaknesses.