Books for Introductory Sociology Courses

Also see our Framing 21st Century Social Issues collection--a series of short books that cover today's most important social issues.

1. Celebrity Culture and the American Dream

   Stardom and Social Mobility

   By Karen Sternheimer

   "... a good book to add to an introduction to sociology course if you want to give your students a good sense of how sociology analyzes culture and media....There is a lot in the book and Sternheimer does a good job of weaving together hard sociological data on stratification, inequalities, wage...

   Published January 9th 2011 by Routledge
2. Sociology: The Basics

   By Ken Plummer

   Series: The Basics

   A lively, accessible and comprehensive introduction to the diverse ways of thinking about social life, Sociology: The Basics examines: the scope, history and purpose of sociology ways of understanding 'the social' the state of the world we live in today suffering and social inequalities key tools...

   Published June 24th 2010 by Routledge
3. Sociology: The Key Concepts

   Edited by John Scott

   Series: Routledge Key Guides

   An essential A-Z guide to the full range of sociological thought, Sociology: The Key Concepts is an important addition to the established and successful Key Concepts series. Fully cross-referenced with an extensive glossary, this accessible text also includes: alphabetical listings of key...

   Published July 5th 2006 by Routledge