The Sociological Outlook

The Sociological Outlook provides a comprehensive introduction to sociology-covering major theoretical schools, methods of research, social processes, and an analysis of social institutions-with a focus on the United States. Institutions are presented in terms of their development, relationship to other institutions, and their response to global context. Throughout, the book closely examines contemporary issues in gender, race and ethnicity, and inequality.

Each chapter in The Sociological Outlook has readings designed to complement the text's presentation of concepts and theories. Many of the readings, some written especially for the book, are first-person accounts by sociologists applying the "sociological outlook" to their own experiences.