Contemporary Society

13th Edition

Student Resources

Please note: This title has recently been acquired by Taylor & Francis. Due to rights reasons, any multimedia resources will no longer be available.

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Learning Objectives

Chapter 1

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Identify the different forms of social science.
  2. Recall the different forms of social scientific research.
  3. Understand the basics of the scientific method.
  4. Distinguish quantitative and qualitative research.
  5. Explain why the scientific method can be difficult to apply in the social sciences.

Chapter 2

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Recognize the differences between natural and social sciences.
  2. Explain the main components of the big bang theory.
  3. Understand the theory of evolution.
  4. Discuss the role of adaptation in evolution.
  5. Analyze the importance of agriculture to human evolution.

Chapter 3

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Define the term culture.
  2. Identify the material and nonmaterial components of culture.
  3. Explain the structure of culture.
  4. Evaluate what factors lead to variations in culture.
  5. Distinguish a subculture from culture.

Chapter 4

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Analyze why groups are crucial to human beings.
  2. Explain the features that define a group.
  3. Classify the different kinds of groups.
  4. Use society to discuss the importance of groups.
  5. Discuss the importance of interactions and organizations to groups.

Chapter 5

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Recall the parts of the dynamic system that makes up personality.
  2. Report on the role of biology in personality formation.
  3. Compare the varying theories on personality formation.
  4. Use the continuing nature of socialization to understand personality.
  5. Explain the concept of resocialization.

Chapter 6

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Identify how people learn norms and roles.
  2. Define the term deviance.
  3. Explain the biological theories of deviance.
  4. Discuss the sociological theories of deviance.
  5. Evaluate the relationship between mental illness and deviance.

Chapter 7

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Explain the phenomenon of stratification.
  2. Discuss ranking, differentiation, and institutionalization as stratification systems.
  3. Describe how stratification can be measured on an ideal continuum.
  4. Analyze the relationship between stratification and inequality.
  5. Understand poverty as a result of inequality.

Chapter 8

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Discuss how majority-minority relationships lead to conflict.
  2. Recall the sociological meaning of racism.
  3. Distinguish prejudice and discrimination.
  4. Explain the variety of ways dominate cultures deal with minorities.
  5. Report on the role of religion in majority-minority relations.

Chapter 9

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Explain how the elderly are devalued in society.
  2. Describe the factors that lead to negative attitudes towards older people.
  3. Discuss both the inherent and perceived differences between men and women.
  4. Report on how unequal treatment of women affects individuals and society.
  5. Identify how minority status influences attitudes about homosexuals.

Chapter 10

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Identify the primary causes of social change.
  2. Analyze the role of technology in social progress.
  3. Discuss the role of modernization in change.
  4. Describe the different kinds of crowds.
  5. Write a summary of the importance and development of social movements.

Chapter 11

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Understand the relationship between population and urbanization.
  2. Evaluate whether overpopulation is a threat to society.
  3. Discuss the relationship between industrialization and urbanization.
  4. Report on the phenomenon of suburbanization.
  5. Explain the effects of overpopulation and urbanization on the environment.

Chapter 12

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Identify the function of institutions.
  2. Recall the functions of the family in modern society.
  3. Discuss how modernization has changed the family.
  4. Compare the nuclear and extended families.
  5. Report on the nontraditional forms of family.

Chapter 13

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Distinguish the human experience of religion from the sociological study of religion.
  2. Identify the major categories of world religions.
  3. Describe the relationship between religion and the human search for meaning.
  4. Analyze Karl Marx’s ideas about religion.
  5. Report on modern trends in religion.

Chapter 14

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Recall the primary and secondary functions of education.
  2. Understand the link between education and socio-economic status.
  3. Define the term self-fulfilling prophecy.
  4. Explain how higher education as the path to upward mobility has changed.
  5. Identify recent reform efforts in education.

Chapter 15

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Explain the role of government in society.
  2. Discuss the importance of authority to government.
  3. Define the term ideology.
  4. Describe the spectrum of political ideology.
  5. Compare the extremes of political ideology.

Chapter 16

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Identify the founding political principles of the United States government.
  2. Describe the restraints included in the Constitution.
  3. Explain the importance of the separation of powers.
  4. Discuss the modern changes in federalism.
  5. Understand the role of judicial review.

Chapter 17

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Compare the views of pluralists and elitists.
  2. Discuss how interest groups influence decision-making.
  3. Explain the role of lobbying.
  4. Discuss the functions of political parties.
  5. Analyze how ordinary citizens participate in government.

Chapter 18

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Describe how societies make decisions about resources.
  2. Identify the characteristics of modern industrial economies.
  3. Evaluate the influence of corporations in the modern economy.
  4. Explain the recent trend toward economic oligarchy.
  5. Analyze the role of organized labor in the economy.

Chapter 19

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Distinguish the economic decisions of the private and public sectors.
  2. Outline the basics of the market.
  3. Explain the goals of a market economy.
  4. Understand the importance of both supply and demand.
  5. Analyze the government’s influence on the economy.

Chapter 20

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Define the term international relations.
  2. Identify the goals of foreign policy.
  3. Recall the three types of foreign policy decisions.
  4. Discuss the instruments used in foreign policy.
  5. Explain the role of diplomacy in international relations.

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