Summary

This eighth edition of Sociology Themes and Perspectives provides a comprehensive introduction to sociology for A-level and undergraduate students. This essential resource is fully updated to match the latest sociological teaching, research and developments to support you in learning about sociology today. Brought to you by an established and trusted team of subject experts, Sociology Themes and Perspectives has supported over one million students in the UK and internationally in studying sociology. This new edition will enable you to: * Build your understanding of sociology through the clear and comprehensive explanation
* Apply your knowledge with contextualised examples and research
* Stay relevant with the most up-to-date research, empirical studies and theories
* Consolidate your learning with the quick-reference conclusions and summaries at the end of each chapter
* Bring sociology alive with full-colour explanation and photos The new edition features coverage of these critical new topics: globalisation (in a major new section), the Arab Spring, the possible decline of US power, UK Coalition policies, environmental sociology, new media, the financial crash and recession, network society, victimology - and many more! Contents:
* Chapter 1: Stratification, class and inequality
* Chapter 2: Sex and gender
* Chapter 3: 'Race', ethnicity and nationality
* Chapter 4: Poverty, social exclusion and the welfare state
* Chapter 5: Health, medicine and the body
* Chapter 6: Crime and deviance
* Chapter 7: Religion
* Chapter 8: Families, households and personal life
* Chapter 9: Power, politics and the state
* Chapter 10: Education
* Chapter 11: Culture, socialisation and identity
* Chapter 12: The mass media
* Chapter 13: Age and the life course
* Chapter 14: Methodology
* Chapter 15: Sociological theory