Sociology: Books & Media

From the Periphery consists of nearly forty first-person narratives from activists and everyday people who describe what it's like to be treated differently by society because of their disabilities. Their stories are raw and painful but also surprisingly funny and deeply moving--describing anger, independence, bigotry, solidarity, and love, in the family, at school, and in the workplace. Inspired by the oral historians Studs Terkel and Svetlana Alexievich, From the Periphery will become a classic oral history collection that increases the understanding of the lived experiences of people with disabilities, their responses to oppression, and the strategies they use to fight for empowerment.

How does socializing and "hanging out" with friends play a key role in our lives? This book explores the world of socialization as it occurs in the United States as well as other cultures. Socialization and enjoying downtime with friends is an activity we regularly participate in but often take for granted. "Hanging out" may be something most people don't ponder, but socializing across our lifetimes is a key part of the human experience, and it plays an important role in our lives at the individual level as well as in social interactions within larger numbers of people: groups of friends, communities, entire countries or cultures, and even global society. A new title in Greenwood's The Psychology of Everyday Life series, Hanging Out: The Psychology of Socializing applies theories and concepts from psychology and sociology to explain the functions, benefits, harms, and consequences of how we spend our free time. Readers will learn about the many forms of socializing, discover why socializing is so important, and understand the positive and negative effects of socializing. The information--presented in a straightforward manner that is easily understandable to high school students and general readers--is drawn from classical theory as well as contemporary, cutting-edge empirical studies, affording readers a well-rounded understanding of socializing based on theoretical and empirical evidence. The book explores topics such as the physical and psychological benefits of socializing, the "dark side" of socializing, how the established "protocols" of socialization differ across cultures, and the differing viewpoints surrounding current controversies with respect to socializing. * Examines the ways people socialize at various stages of life, what we give and get as we socialize, and how people socialize across race and gender lines * Explains the findings of classical and current research regarding socialization without using complex terminology * Enables readers to gain a better understanding of the importance of socializing and how it influences our everyday lives * Includes scenarios related to socializing that enable readers to contextualize scientific data and apply this information to real-world experiences

The word "privilege" gets thrown around a lot during discussions of inequality in America, whether it be about race, gender, or wealth. But how serious an issue is privilege, really? Is it manufactured by marginalized groups? Should those with marked advantages feel threatened? America prides itself on democratic ideals and advancement through merit and hard work. Are these ideals based on a lie? If so, what practical solutions can be undertaken to level the playing field? Presenting a wide variety of perspectives from authoritative voices, this volume unpacks a complex issue that many are uncomfortable confronting.

This provocative new introduction to the field of digital sociology offers a critical overview of interdisciplinary debates about new ways of knowing society that are emerging today at the interface of computing, media, social research and social life. Digital Sociology introduces key concepts, methods and understandings that currently inform the development of specifically digital forms of social enquiry. This timely engagement with a key transformation of our age will be indispensable reading for undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in digital sociology, digital media, computing and society.

The 2016 presidential election brought to light the increasingly polarized nature of American politics. What brought about this political extremism, and can anything be done to curb it? This volume helps to define political extremism, explores the ways in which extremism manifests itself, including hate speech and domestic terrorism, and explains theories about how it can be counteracted. With partisanship in the United States showing no sign of decline without significant intervention, it is more essential than ever to try to understand what brought about this political division.

Writing good essays is one of the most challenging aspects of studying in the social sciences. This simple guide provides you with proven approaches and techniques to help turn you into a well-oiled, essay writing machine. Good Essay Writing demonstrates how to think critically and formulate your argument as well as offering water-tight structuring tips, referencing advice, and a word on those all too familiar common worries-all brought to life through real student examples from a range of subjects. Now in its Fifth Edition, this fresh update contains: New essay examples are analysed and discussed, so you have a clear understanding of what makes a good essay A new chapter on essay writing skills and other forms of social science writing, helping you transfer the skills you learn to different types of written assessments. This practical guide is an absolute must for everybody wanting-or needing-to brush up on their essay writing skills and boost their grades.