In today's world, both cultures and societies are changing more quickly than ever before. The Third Edition of Cultures and Societies in a Changing World sheds light on the role culture plays in shaping our social world. A vital and personal aspect of individual identity, culture shapes a person's norms, values, beliefs, and practices. This Third Edition introduces the sociology of culture and explores cultural phenomena including stories, beliefs, media, ideas, art, religious practices, fashions, and rituals from a global sociological perspective. The author takes a global approach by considering cultural examples from various countries and time periods, by delving into the ways globalization processes are affecting cultures and by offering an explanation of post-Cold War era culture-related conflicts.It explores the effects of political symbols and rituals on the status quo in a new chapter devoted to the interplay of culture and power. It focuses on new media, especially the cultural implications of participatory media such as blogs, MySpace, videologs, and podcasting. It features updated cases and examples from the most important cultural research of the 21st century. This compelling textbook makes an ideal supplement to sociology courses such as the Sociology of Culture, Cultural Studies, Ethnic Studies, and Popular Culture.