Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents: What is sociology? -- Asking and answering sociological questions -- Theories and perspectives -- Globalization and social change -- The environment -- Cities and urban life -- Work and the economy -- Social interaction and daily life -- The life course -- Families and intimate relationships -- Health, illness and disability -- Stratification and social class -- Poverty, social exclusion and welfare -- Global inequality -- Gender and sexuality -- Race, ethnicity and migration -- Religion -- The Media -- Education -- Crime and deviance -- Politics, Government and social movements -- Nations, war and terrorism --