Sociology: exploring the architecture of everyday life

"In this briefer, streamlined edition of Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life, David Newman's goal is the same: to write a textbook that "reads like a real book." The author show students how to see the "unfamiliar in the familiar"-to step back and see organization and predictability in their take-for-granted personal experiences. Newman uses the metaphors of "architecture" and "construction," to help students understand that society is not something that exists "out there," independently of themselves; it is a human creation that is planned, maintained, or altered by individuals. Instead of surveying every subfield in sociology, the more streamlined coverage focuses on the individual and society, the construction of self and society, and social inequality in the context of social structures. Adapted from David Newman's Sociology: 13E, the Brief Edition is 1/3 shorter. The main differences are: -fewer examples -no "Micro-Macro Connection" boxes -some photos and art have been eliminated -different format (smaller trim, 1-color, different interior template)"--

"In Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life, David Newman shows students how to see the "unfamiliar in the familiar"-to step back and see organization and predictability in their take-for-granted personal experiences. With his approachable writing style and lively personal anecdotes, the author's goal from the first edition has been the same: to write a textbook that "reads like a real book." Many adopters of this book are fans of Peter Berger's classic works, which helped introduce the idea of "social constructionism" to sociology. Newman uses the metaphors of "architecture" and "construction," to help students understand that society is not something that exists "out there," independently of themselves; it is a human creation that is planned, maintained, or altered by individuals. Using vivid prose, current examples, and fresh data, this text presents a unique and thought-provoking overview of how society is constructed and experienced. Instead of surveying every subfield in sociology, the more streamlined coverage (14 chapters) focuses on the individual and society, the construction of self and society, and social inequality in the context of social structures"--

About the author -- The individual and society -- Taking a new look at a familiar world -- Seeing and thinking sociologically -- The construction of self and society -- Building reality : the social construction of knowledge -- Building order : culture and history -- Building identity : socialization -- Supporting identity : the presentation of self -- Building social relationships : intimacy and families -- Constructing difference : social deviance -- Social structure, institutions, and everyday life -- The structure of society : organizations, social institutions, and globalization -- The architecture of stratification : social class and inequality -- The architecture of inequality : race and ethnicity -- The architecture of inequality : sex and gender -- Demographic dynamics : population trends -- Architects of change : reconstructing society -- Glossary -- References -- Index