Society in Focus

Society in Focus: An Introduction to Sociology, Ninth Edition,emphasizes how society and socialforces affect everything from globalizationand international policies to day-to-dayactivities in our personal lives. In thisedition, the authors go beyond the merequestioning of issues to take a closer lookat the social world in which we live. Theyprovide an integrated approach that usessociological thinking to help studentsanalyze and understand key concepts. Tofocus increased attention on sociologicalthinking and research methods, theyhave chosen four key themes: media andtechnology, globalization, cultural diversity,and trends for the future. Because sociologyis about all of us and our daily lives, it is aneminently practical and useful discipline forunderstanding our social world.


This Ninth Edition Includes:

• specific student outcomes for each chapter as well as assessment items linked to those outcomes

• new chapter-opening vignettes that give real-life examples illustrating important terms, concepts, and theories included in that chapter

• updated data, statistics, maps, charts, boxes, and tables citing the latest research available

• examples of the powerful impact of media and technology on society, especially the role social media play in helping to shape and define our daily social lives

• new photos and cartoons accompanied by critical-thinking questions that reinforce and illustrate important sociological terms, concepts, and theories