About the book
What is the connection between our personal troubles and underlying public issues?
Public Sociology focuses on the utility and relevance of a sociological perspective to every aspect of social life. The aim is to encourage in students the ability to critically reflect upon the forces - both local and global - shaping their own lives and the communities in which they live.
The previous two editions of Public Sociology have established the book as one of the most popular and accessible introductory sociology texts. The third edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to incorporate important themes in contemporary society including drug culture and digital technology. The authors reveal how the tools of sociological training and an empirically grounded sociological perspective are essential to understanding and engaging with contemporary Australian society.
NEW TO THE THIRD EDITION: three new chapters on the sociology of drugs, digital sociology, and the social determinants of health and illness; all chapters thoroughly revised and some expanded; expanded glossary and updated introductory vignettes; enhanced book website with extra readings, YouTube clips, and case studies.
Praise for Public Sociology
'With a firm base in the richest traditions of the discipline and with a remarkably approachable format, this book offers an excellent introduction to a wide array of sociology's concerns, making it suitable for all Australian social science undergraduates.' - Gary Wickham, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Murdoch University
'A sophisticated yet accessible introduction to social identities, difference and inequalities, and social transformations.' - Jo Lindsay, Associate Professor in Sociology, Monash University
'Sweeping and lucid... communicates with ease and simplicity.' - Professor Toni Makkai, Dean, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University
Table of contents
Tables and figures
Preface to the third edition
Acknowledgements
Contributors
Abbreviations
Guided tour
MODULE 1: DOING PUBLIC SOCIOLOGY
1. The sociological gaze: linking private lives to public issues - John Germov and Marilyn Poole
2. Sociological foundations: early theorists and theories - Marilyn Poole and John Germov
3. Contemporary sociological theorists and theories - Marilyn Poole and John Germov
4. Sociological investigations: doing social research - Tara Renae McGee
MODULE 2: SOCIAL IDENTITIES
5. How we become who and what we are: socialisation and the new genetics - Marilyn Poole
6. Youth transitions and youth culture - Pam Nilan
7. Families and intimate relationships - Marilyn Poole
8. Consumption and lifestyles - Ian Woodward
9. Sporting life - Peter Mewett
10. A sociology of licit and illicit Drugs - Maria Freij and John Germov
MODULE 3: SOCIAL DIFFERENCES AND INEQUALITIES
11. Class and inequality in Australia - Mark Western and Janeen Baxter
12. The gender order - Grazyna Zajdow
13. Ethnicity and belonging - Zlatko Skrbis and Jonathan Smith
14. Race and reconciliation in Australia - Meredith Green and Sherry Saggers
15. Religion and spirituality in a changing Australia - Andrew Singleton
16. Deviance, crime, and social control - Sharyn Roach Anleu
MODULE 4: SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS
17. The social determinants of health and illness - Marilyn Poole and John Germov
18. Globalisation, power, and social movements - Jan Pakulski
19. Global risk and the surveillance state: a sociology of new terrorism - Maria Freij and John Germov
20. Working 24/7: The new work ethic - John Germov
21. Digital sociology - Deborah Lupton
22. Media and popular culture - Timothy Marjoribanks
23. Educating society: sociological debates and dilemmas - Julie McLeod
MODULE 5: FUTURE DIRECTIONS
24. A sociological toolkit - John Germov
25. Writing a sociology essay - John Germov
26. Threshold learning outcomes for sociology - John Germov
Glossary
Permissions and copyright
Index
