Taking sides
Subtitle: Clashing views on social issues
By: selected, edited, and with introductions by Kurt Finsterbusch
Edition: 16th ed.
Series: Taking sides; McGraw-Hill contemporary learning series
Publisher: McGraw Hill
Published: 2011
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 401
ISBN-13: 9780078050015
Subjects: Social conditions; Social policy; Social conflict; Social problems; Interpersonal relations; Social Problems
Other titles: Clashing views on social issues; Social issues
Description: This volume presents current controversial issues surrounding current controversial issues in the field of sociology in a debate-style format designed to stimulate student interest and develop critical thinking skills. Sociology uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop and refine a body of knowledge about human social activity. For some sociologists, the goal is to apply such knowledge to the pursuit of social welfare, while for others it is to seek an understanding of how individuals are influenced by the social world we live in. This topic is framed with a general summary and introduction, and a postscript or challenge questions. This work features an annotated listing of selected World Wide Web sites and an online instructor's resource guide with testing material available.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: Culture and values. Does the news media have a liberal bias? ; Is third world immigration a threat to America's way of life?; title: Sex roles, gender, and the family. Does divorce have long-term damaging effects on children? ; Does the "mommy track" (part-time work) improve women's lives? ; Should same-sex marriages be legally recognized?; title: Stratification and inequality. Is increasing economic inequality a serious problem? ; Has feminism benefited American society? ; Has affirmative action outlived its usefulness? ; Are barriers to women's success as leaders due to societal obstacles?; title: Political economy and institutions. Is America dominated by big business? ; Does capitalism undermine democracy? ; Should government intervene in a capitalist economy? ; Has welfare reform benefited the poor? ; Is competition the reform that will fix education? ; Should biotechnology be used to alter and enhance humans?; title: Crime and social control. Is street crime more harmful than white-collar crime? ; Should laws against drug use remain restrictive? ; Are we headed toward a nuclear 9/11?; title: The future : population/environment/society. Are declining growth rates rather than rapid population growth today's major global population problem? ; Is humankind dangerously harming the environment? ; Is globalization good for humankind?