Returning to graduate school at the University of Oklahoma, he became passionate about the study of Criminology and Stratification completing his Ph.D. while teaching full time at Rose State College.  John says, “I found that every part of my life to this point, fit perfectly with the study of sociology.  It is a diverse and exciting field that helps a person understand their world.”

Today, teaching remains his primary focus. John Carl has excelled in the classroom, winning awards for his teaching and working to build and improve the sociology program at Rose State.  “I teach the introductory class every semester because I believe it is the most important course in any department.  It is where students get the foundation they need for their continued study of sociology.  In these classes, my goal is simple.  To teach students to think sociologically so that they can consider any new event in the light of that thought.” 

When asked why he wrote Think Sociology, the answer was simple: “This book is truly a labor of love for me.  I wanted to write a book that is filled with examples used in the classroom and written in a language that students can understand without compromising the core concepts of sociology."

John lives in Oklahoma with his family, wife Keven, and daughters Sara and Caroline.  In his free time, John plays golf, gardens, throws pottery, and plays his guitar.  He continues to move from the classroom to community by being active in non-profit leadership in his home community and providing training to non-profit boards so they may better achieve their goals.  John suggests, “It is all part of sociology, not only to understand the world in which we live, but to take that understanding from the classroom and use it to improve the community.”

1. BRIEF

2. COMPREHENSIVE

BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Chapter 1. Sociology: An Introduction to the Foundations of Sociology
Chapter 2. Sociological Research: How Do We Learn about Society?
Chapter 3. Culture: A Framework for the Individual
Chapter 4. Social Structure and Interaction: Micro and Macro Orientations
Chapter 5. Socialization: The Process of Fitting into Society
Chapter 6. Groups and Societies: Understanding our Environment
Chapter 7. Social Class in the United States: Stratification in a Modern Society

Chapter 8. Global Stratification: Wealth and Poverty in the World
Chapter 9. Population and Environmental Impact: How Do Societies Deal with Growing Numbers?
Chapter 10. Race and Ethnic Stratification: Is it a Question of Color?
Chapter 11. Gender Stratification: The Social Side of Sex
Chapter 12. Aging and Health: The Graying of Society
Chapter 13. Crime and the Legal System: How Do Societies Respond to Crime and Deviance?

Chapter 14. Marriage and Family: How Do Societies Perpetuate Themselves?
Chapter 15. Education and Religion: How Do Societies Pass on Information?
Chapter 16. Economy and Politics: How Do Societies Support and Govern Themselves?
Chapter 17. Social Movements, Collective Behavior, and Social Change: How Do Societies Change?

COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS:

(Each chapter has 3 sections: Get the Topic, Think Sociologically, and Discover Sociology in Action)

Chapter 1: Sociology: An Introduction to the Foundations of Sociology

            Sociology Defined

            Developing a Sociological Imagination

            Emile Durkheim's Theory on Suicide

            The Functionalist's Worldview

            Functionalism in the United States

            The Conflict Theorist's Worldview

            The Symbolic Interactionist's Worldview

            The Three Paradigms: How are They Interrelated?

            Getting Involved in Sociology-- Community Learning

Chapter 2: Sociological Research: How Do We Learn About Society?

            Objectivity

            Variables

            Cause and Correlation

            Scientific Method: What Are the Six Stephs of Social Research?

            Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

            Triangulation

            Research Methods and the Three Paradigms

            Social Policy and Statistics

            Community Learning-- Needs Assessments

Chapter 3: Culture: A Framework for the Individual

            Material Culture

            Nonmaterial Culture

            Additional Values

            Norms and Sanctions

            The Study of Culture

            Symbolic Interactionism-- A Crisis of Values

            Functionalism-- Communitarianism

            Conflict Theory-- The McDonaldization of the United States

            Social Policy: Multiculturalism and Assimilation

            Macrosociology and Microsociology

            Micro Orientations: Social Interactions

            An Example of Symbolic Interactionism: The Thomas Theorem and the Social Creation of Reality

            An Example of Functionalism: Study Essential Features of Functional Social Structures

            An Example of Conflict Theory: Deliberate Efforts to Weaken the Structure and Culture of Native Americans

            Social Policy -- The Perry Preschool Project

Chapter 5: Socialization: The Process of Fitting into Society

            The Nature vs. Nurture Debate -- What Makes Us Who We Are?

            Theorists on Socialization

            Agents of Socialization

            Can We Be "Resocialized"? Experiencing the Total Institution

            Symbolic Interactionism and Resocialization

            Functionalism

            Conflict Theory -- What Forces Socialize Us?

            Applying Sociological Thinking in the World, Social Policy, and Title IX

Chapter 6: Groups and Societies: Understanding Our Environment

            Formal Organizations

            Functionalism and Leadership

            Conflict Theory -- Marx, Bureaucracy, and Democratic Organizations

            Symbolic Interactionism -- Creating a Just and Democratic Workplace

            Adult Civic Engagement and Childhood Activities

            Leading Groups

Chapter 7: Social Class in the United States: Stratification in a Modern Society

            How Does the United States Define Poverty?

            Social Mobility

            Functionalism

            Conflict Theory 

            Symbolic Interactionism

            Social Policy: Welfare for the Poor

            Social Policy: Minimum Wage

Chapter 8: Global Stratification: Wealth and Poverty in the World

            Global Stratification

            Social Systems

            Global Stratification: No Longer a Third World

            Functionalism

            Conflict Theory

            Symbolic Interactionism

            Social Policy: Foreign Aid

Chapter 9: Population and Environmental Impact: How Do Societies Deal with Growing Numbers?

            Population by the Numbers

            Malthusian Theory

            Demographic Transition Theory

            Issues Associated with Population Growth

            Human Exemptionism

            Environmental Sociology

            Population Control Programs

Chapter 10: Race and Ethnic Stratification: Is It a Question of Color?

            Census Definitions

            Racial Stratification in the United States

            Symbolic Interactionism: Color-Blind Racism

            Affirmative Action

Chapter 11: Gender Stratification: The Social Side of Sex

            Gender vs. Sex

            Patriarchy and Sexism

            Gender Roles

            Gender and Inequality

            Feminism

            Feminist Theory

            Functionalism

            Conflict Theory

            Symbolic Interactionism

Chapter 12: Aging and Health: The Graying of Society

            Health Defined

            Health in the United States: Living off the Fat of the Land

            Health Care

            Aging: The Graying of the United States

            Functionism -- Disengaging from Society

            Symbolic Interactionism -- Living an Active Lifestyle

            Conflict Theory -- Aging and Inequality

            Social Security and Medicare

            Deviance vs. Crime

            Historical Roots of Deviance and Crime Theories

            Functional Explanations of Crime and Deviance

            Social Interaction Theories

            Symbolic Interaction Theories

            Symbolic Interactionist Theory

            Social Conflict Theory

            General Theories of Crime Causation

            Crime Control: The Criminal Justice System

Chapter 14: Marriage and Family: How Do Societies Perpetuate Themselves?

            Marriage and Family

            Symbolic Interactionism

            Conflict Theory

            Functionalism

            Gay Marriage vs. Civil Unions vs. Nothing

Chapter 15: Education and Religion: How Do Societies Pass on Information?

            Education in Society

            Religion

            Symbolic Interactionism

            Functionalism

            Conflict Theory

            Improving Education with School Vouchers

Chapter 16: Economy and Politics: How Do Societies Support and Govern Themselves?

            Economic Systems

            Global Economy

            Political Systems

            Types of Government

            Politics in the United States

            The Nature of Power

            Lack of ASsistance for Veterans

Chapter 17: Social Movements, Collective Behavior, and Social Change: How Do Societies Change?

            Shifts in Society

            Shifts in Society

            Resistance to Change

            Conflict Theory

            Functionalism

            Symbolic Interactionism

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Glossary

Endnotes

Photo Credits

Index

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.