Part I: The Sociological Study of Social Problems Chapter 1: Social Problems (Javier Trevino) Introduction The Sociological Study of Social Problems The Sociological Imagination Sociological Research Three Sociological Theories Applying the Three Theories to Social Problems Social Policy Specialized Theories Service Sociology and Social Problems Part II: Problems of Inequality Chapter 2: Poverty (Keith Kilty) Introduction Patterns and Trends Social Class Inequality Using Theory to Explain Poverty, Class, and Inequality: The View from a Functionalist, Symbolic Interactionist, and Conflict Perspective Specialized Theory Beyond Functionalism, Interactionism, and Conflict Social Change: What Can We Do? Chapter 3: Race (Eileen O'Brien) Defining Race and Ethnicity in a New Millennium Patterns and Trends Using Theory to Explain Racial Inequality: The View from a Functionalist, Symbolic Interactionist, and Conflict Perspective Specialized Theories Beyond Functionalism, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionism Chapter 4: Gender (Robyn Ryle) Defining gender inequality Feminism, men, and the study of gender as a social problem Looking at gender on college campuses Using functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interaction theory to understand gender inequality Queer theory: an interdisciplinary perspective on gender Social change: What can you do? Chapter 5: Sexuality (Rebecca Plante) Introduction Patterns and Trends in Sexuality-Related Social Problems Using Theory to Understand Sex Work and Prostitution: The View from the Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interaction Perspectives Examples of Theories Applied to Sexualities Social Change: What Can You Do? Chapter 6: Aging (Duane Matcha) Introduction Patterns and Trends Using Theory: The View from the Functionalist, Symbolic Interaction and Conflict Perspectives Specialized Theory about Aging Social Change: What Can You Do? Part III: Problems of Institutions Chapter 7: Education (Alan R. Sadovnik, Susan F. Semel, and Ryan Coughlan) Introduction Patterns and Trends U.S. Educational System and Interest Groups Using Sociological Theories in Education Specialized Theories in the Sociology of Education Explanations of Educational Inequality Educational Reform from the 1980s to 2012 Social Change: What Can You Do? Chapter 8: Media (William Hoynes) Introduction Patterns and Trends in Media Portrayals of Social Problems Debating Media as a Cause of Social Problems Emergent Social Problems and New Media Technology Using Theory: The View from the Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interaction Perspectives Theories In Contemporary Media And Social Problems Scholarship Social Change: What Can You Do? Chapter 9: Family (Meg Wilkes Karraker) Introduction Trends Family Problems and Three Institutional Stakeholders Using Theory: The View from the Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interaction Perspectives Specialized Family Theories Social Change: What Can You Do? Chapter 10: Work and the Economy (Rudi Volti) Introduction Patterns and Trends Stakeholders Using Theory: The Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives Specialized Theories: Weber and Scientific Management Social Change: What Can You Do? Part IV: Problems of Health and Safety Chapter 11: Crime (Susan Guarino-Ghezzi and Kathleen Currul-Dykeman) Introduction Patterns and Trends The U.S. Criminal Justice System and Its Stakeholders Using Theory: The View from the Functionalist, Conflict and Symbolic Interaction Perspectives Specialized Theories about Crime Social Change: What Can You Do? Chapter 12: Alcohol and Other Drugs (Brian C. Kelly and Dina Perrone) Drugs and Society Addiction and Other Harms Patterns of Drug Use Using Theory: The View from the Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives Specialized Theories Social Change: What Can You Do? Chapter 13: Health (Kevin White) Introduction Patterns and Trends The U.S. Health care System and Its Stakeholders Using Theory: The View from the Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives Specialized Theories Social Change: What Can You Do? Part V: Problems of Global Impact Chapter 14: Environment (Michael M. Bell and Katharine Legun) Introduction: Environmental Problems as Social Problems Patterns and Trends Theoretical Perspectives in Environmental Sociology Specialized theories What You Can Do: Social Change for the Environment Chapter 15: Science and Technology (Wenda Bauchspies) Introduction: Hacking and Cybercrimes around the World Science and Technology as Socially Defined Patterns and Trends Science, Technology and Their Stakeholders Using Theory: The View from the Functionalist, Conflict and Symbolic Interaction Perspectives Specialized Theories Social Change: What Can You Do? Chapter 16: War (Paul Joseph) Introduction: War as a Social Concept Patterns and Trends The Future of War Using Theory: The view from the Functionalist, Conflict and Symbolic Interaction Perspectives Specialized Theory: The Civil-Military Gap Thesis Terrorism Social Change: What Can You Do? Chapter 17: Population (Michael Borer and Tyler Schafer) Urbanization, Growth, and Social Problems Patterns and Trends Theories of Urban Growth and Urbanization Specialized Theories Research Spotlight: The Las Vegas Metropolitan Area Social Survey - Quality of Life in a Boom and Bust City Social Change: What Can You Do in Your City, Suburb, or Town?
