Sociology gives us the tools we need to understand our life and the lives of the people around us. It reveals that our commonsense view of the world isn't always right, and enables us to find out what actually shapes our experiences.
In this widely used and very readable introductory text, Judith Bessant and Rob Watts show us how to develop a sociological perspective on what is happening in Australia today. Rapid and far-reaching social changes are taking place which affect us all: globalisation is impacting on our economy and culture; technological developments increase the pace of life; and many people worry about the decline of traditional values and about environmental and personal security. Using a sociological perspective we can explain why different groups of people experience these changes as exciting, unsettling or devastating.
Sociology Australia is structured around six key questions:
* What is sociology?
* Who are we and how do we come to be who we are?
* How do we know the world in which we live?
* Can we make our lives as we want them?
* Who makes the decisions that shape our society?
* What changes are taking place in Australia today?
Sociology Australia is an ideal introduction to the discipline of sociology and to the dynamics of Australian society today. This third edition of Sociology Australia has been substantially revised and updated, and includes new chapters on religion, education and sustainability.
Introduction
PART ONE: WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY?
1. Sociology in an age of insecurity
2. Reading sociology
3. Making sense of sociology
4. Doing sociology
5. Ethics and sociology
PART TWO: IDENTITY: Being yourself, being Australian
6. Ourselves: Myself, yourself
7. Ourselves in families
8. Being young: Age and identity
9. Sex in Australia
10. Religion in Australia
11. Identity, multiculturalism and imagined community
PART THREE: GLOBALISATION: Australia and social change
12. Australians at work
13. Confronting class and inequality
14. Inequality in Australia
15. Education in a period of crisis
16. Health and illness in an unequal society
17. Crime, deviance and power
18. Knowing the world: The Australian media
19. Sustainability
20. Conclusion: Australia and globalisation
Biography
Judith Bessant is Professor of Youth Studies and Sociology at RMIT University, Melbourne. Rob Watts is Professor of Social Policy at RMIT University. They have written books on a range of sociological topics including social policy, welfare, the role of the state, work, criminology and youth issues.
