Full Description
"Given the complexity of the issues, the study of social problems requires, indeed demands, specialized focus by experts."-A. Javier TrevinoWelcome to a new way of Investigating Social Problems. In this groundbreaking new text, general editor A. Javier Trevino, working with a panel of experts, thoroughly examines all aspects of social problems, providing a contemporary and authoritative introduction to the field. Each chapter is written by a specialist on that particular topic. This unique, contributed format ensures that the research and examples provided are the most current and relevant in the field. The chapters carefully follow a model framework to ensure consistency across the entire text and provide continuity for the reader. The text is framed around three major themes: intersectionality (the interplay of race, ethnicity, class, and gender), the global scope of many problems, and how researchers take an evidence-based approach to studying problems.
Contents
Part IChapter 1: Social Problems (Javier Trevino)IntroductionThe Sociological Study of Social ProblemsThe Sociological ImaginationSociological ResearchThree Sociological TheoriesApplying the Three Theories to Social ProblemsSocial PolicySpecialized TheoriesService Sociology and Social ProblemsPart II: Problems of InequalityChapter 2: Poverty (Keith Kilty)IntroductionPatterns and TrendsSocial ClassInequalityUsing Theory to Explain Poverty, Class, and Inequality: The View from a Functionalist, Symbolic Interactionist, and Conflict PerspectiveSpecialized Theory Beyond Functionalism, Interactionism, and ConflictSocial Change: What Can We Do?Chapter 3: Race (Eileen O'Brien)Defining Race and Ethnicity in a New MillenniumPatterns and TrendsUsing Theory to Explain Racial Inequality: The View from a Functionalist, Symbolic Interactionist, and Conflict PerspectiveSpecialized Theories Beyond Functionalism, Conflict, and Symbolic InteractionismChapter 4: Gender (Robyn Ryle)Defining gender inequalityFeminism, men, and the study of gender as a social problemLooking at gender on college campusesUsing functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interaction theory to understand gender inequalityQueer theory: an interdisciplinary perspective on genderSocial change: What can you do?Chapter 5: Sexuality (Rebecca Plante)IntroductionPatterns and Trends in Sexuality-Related Social ProblemsUsing Theory to Understand Sex Work and Prostitution: The View from the Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interaction PerspectivesExamples of Theories Applied to SexualitiesSocial Change: What Can You Do?Chapter 6: Aging (Duane Matcha)IntroductionPatterns and TrendsUsing Theory: The View from the Functionalist, Symbolic Interaction and Conflict PerspectivesSpecialized Theory about AgingSocial Change: What Can You Do?Part III: Problems of InstitutionsChapter 7: Education (Alan R. Sadovnik, Susan F. Semel, and Ryan Coughlan)IntroductionPatterns and TrendsU.S. Educational System and Interest GroupsUsing Sociological Theories in EducationSpecialized Theories in the Sociology of EducationExplanations of Educational InequalityEducational Reform from the 1980s to 2012Social Change: What Can You Do?Chapter 8: Media (William Hoynes)IntroductionPatterns and Trends in Media Portrayals of Social ProblemsDebating Media as a Cause of Social ProblemsEmergent Social Problems and New Media TechnologyUsing Theory: The View from the Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interaction PerspectivesTheories In Contemporary Media And Social Problems ScholarshipSocial Change: What Can You Do?Chapter 9: Family (Meg Wilkes Karraker)IntroductionTrendsFamily Problems and Three Institutional StakeholdersUsing Theory: The View from the Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interaction PerspectivesSpecialized Family TheoriesSocial Change: What Can You Do?Chapter 10: Work and the Economy (Rudi Volti)IntroductionPatterns and TrendsStakeholdersUsing Theory: The Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionist PerspectivesSpecialized Theories: Weber and Scientific ManagementSocial Change: What Can You Do?Part IV: Problems of Health and SafetyChapter 11: Crime (Susan Guarino-Ghezzi and Kathleen Currul-Dykeman)IntroductionPatterns and TrendsThe U.S. Criminal Justice System and Its StakeholdersUsing Theory: The View from the Functionalist, Conflict and Symbolic Interaction PerspectivesSpecialized Theories about CrimeSocial Change: What Can You Do?Chapter 12: Alcohol and Other Drugs (Brian C. Kelly and Dina Perrone)Drugs and SocietyAddiction and Other HarmsPatterns of Drug UseUsing Theory: The View from the Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionist PerspectivesSpecialized TheoriesSocial Change: What Can You Do?Chapter 13: Health (Kevin White)IntroductionPatterns and TrendsThe U.S. Health care System and Its StakeholdersUsing Theory: The View from the Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionist PerspectivesSpecialized TheoriesSocial Change: What Can You Do?Part V: Problems of Global ImpactChapter 14: Environment (Michael M. Bell and Katharine Legun)Introduction: Environmental Problems as Social ProblemsPatterns and TrendsTheoretical Perspectives in Environmental SociologySpecialized theoriesWhat You Can Do: Social Change for the EnvironmentChapter 15: Science and Technology (Wenda Bauchspies)Introduction: Hacking and Cybercrimes around the WorldScience and Technology as Socially DefinedPatterns and TrendsScience, Technology and Their StakeholdersUsing Theory: The View from the Functionalist, Conflict and Symbolic Interaction PerspectivesSpecialized TheoriesSocial Change: What Can You Do?Chapter 16: War (Paul Joseph)Introduction: War as a Social ConceptPatterns and TrendsThe Future of WarUsing Theory: The view from the Functionalist, Conflict and Symbolic Interaction PerspectivesSpecialized Theory: The Civil-Military Gap ThesisTerrorismSocial Change: What Can You Do?Chapter 17: Population (Michael Borer and Tyler Schafer)Urbanization, Growth, and Social ProblemsPatterns and TrendsTheories of Urban Growth and UrbanizationSpecialized TheoriesResearch Spotlight: The Las Vegas Metropolitan Area Social Survey - Quality of Life in a Boom and Bust CitySocial Change: What Can You Do in Your City, Suburb, or Town?
