Sernau, S: Introductory Sociology

Approach
“I very much appreciate the approach the authors have taken with the text.”
Todd A. Williams
Urbana University


“A key aspect of the authors’ approach is that they focus on helping students learn how to apply sociological thinking and concepts to daily life situations.”
Demetrius Semien
University of North Carolina at Greensboro

"I like the authors emphasis on helping students apply sociological principles and Concepts to their own lives.”
Raghu N. Singh
Texas A&M University


 "This is an attractive approach.  I like the idea of taking one approach and applying it systematically throughout the text.  Itshouldencourage more opportunities for critical thinking and discussion.”
Charles Edgley
University of Arkansas


 
Content
“The major strengths of Chapter 3 are what I see to be a very clear discussion of the social constructionist perspective.”
Todd A. Williams
Urbana University
 
“The final chapter where the authors return to Mill’s sociological imagination...is an excellent way to end the semester’s reading.  This allows the students to see continuity and to assess their original ideas and understanding with how they now view and interact with the social world.”
Demetrius Semien
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
 
“A major strength of the book is that it draws upon current real-life examples that students have been exposed to in order to introduce and illustrate major sociological points.”
Demetrius Semien
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
 
“I believe this text uses the idea of social construction of reality to teach about the major perspectives and I think this is an excellent method to use.”
Sherri DeBoef Chandler
Muskegon Community College


"This text is as current, or more so, than others in the discipline.”
Sherri DeBoef Chandler
Muskegon Community College


"I like the author’s coverage of social institutions under various broad headings.”
Raghu N. Singh
Texas A&M University
 
“In Chapter the author has provided an excellent coverage and an overview of the theoretical and methodological background to understanding sociology.”
Raghu N. Singh
Texas A&M University
 
“The big strength is in tying the sociological imagination to the lives of those reading the text; the application is direct and immediate.”
Charles Edgley
University of Arkansas
 
Overall Comments
“I particularly like the ‘Conversation with the Classics’ sections and NetWorks sections.”
Todd A. Williams
Urbana University
 
“I think that by taking on the social constructionist approach, the text will be more accessible to students that other introductory textbooks.”
Todd A. Williams
Urbana University
 
“I think students would “get” this book, so might come out understanding sociology better.”
Sherri DeBoef Chandler
Muskegon Community College
 
Organization
“The authors do an excellent job of focusing on explaining what the sociological perspective is and why it is important to develop and utilize them”
Demetrius Semien
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
 
Writing Style

“It engages them on a serious academic level while attempting to engage them in dialogue as students reflect on their own experiences while processing the examples offered in the text.  The casual informative tone used by the authors will put my students at east and make it seem as if they are engaged in a conversation with the authors.” 
Demetrius Semien
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
 
“I think students will be able to read several pages or perhaps even an entire chapter in a sitting without faing sleep.”
Sherri DeBoef Chandler
Muskegon Community College
 
“Their writing style is more engaging than most texts...it is conversation/accessible, without losing rigor”
Charles Edgley
University of Arkansas
 
Features
“‘Putting Your Sociological Imagination to Work’ questions: Love this section!!!  Providing hands-on and relevant activities that student can directly apply in their daily lives is the life source of sociology.  This section is the key to understanding sociology and reinforces the author’ approach and idea that we all general social theories and make and “do” social constructions.”
Demetrius Semien
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
 
“I especially liked the ‘Conversation with Experts’ excerpts in the text.”
Sherri DeBoef Chandler
Muskegon Community College
 
“I like the ‘Putting Your  Sociological Imagination to Work’ questions.”
Sherri DeBoef Chandler
Muskegon Community College
 
“The sections on ‘NetWorks’ will be helpful in my on-line class.”
Raghu N. Singh
Texas A&M University