Understand human and social interactions in an ever-changing world

Sociology is the study of human and societal interaction. Whether you're currently enrolled in a course or want to learn how to apply sociological concepts to your personal or professional life, Sociology For Dummies helps you understand how to scientifically analyze social organization and cultural structure.

-Discover the who, what, and where of sociology — wrap your head around the basics of sociology to get a handle on what it is, where it came from, and who practices it

-Put on your sociology sunglasses — learn how to look at society through the eyes of a sociologist to get a better understanding of culture, social networks, society and your place in it, and more

-Get a grip on the social status quo — find out how everything from race to sex and gender plays a role in social equality and inequality

-Organize (and disorganize) social organizations — discover what sociology tells us about how corporations, nonprofits, governments, and social movements work (and sometimes don't)

-Take a look in the mirror — understand how your life's course is inexplicably tied to your society

Open the book and find:

-The history of sociological study

-Social movements and political sociology

-The value and purpose of think tanks and research institutes

-Tips for thinking about the world in an objective way

-The lowdown on "Sociology's Power Trio" — Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber

-Methods for conducting socio-logical research

-The roles race, sex, and religion play in sociology

Learn to:

-Recognize the basics of how communities work

-Analyze the cultural impact that race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation have on society

-Use and interpret sociological research methods

-Identify the social construction and impact of crime and deviance

The first authoritative yet accessible guide to this broad and popular topic

-Provides a general overview of what sociology in as well as an in-depth look at some of the major concepts and theories

-Offers examples of how sociology can be applied and its importance to everyday life

Avoiding jargon, Sociology For Dummies will get you up to speed on this widely studied topic in no time.