This balanced, mainstream, beautifully written and totally up-to-date text is unrivalled in its ability to get students to see the connection between themselves and the social world. It teaches students "how" to think sociologically, not just "what" to think, and emphasizes the importance of diversity and a global perspective.. It has been heralded for its inclusion of pop culture examples that instantly connect with today's students, and for its presentation of sociological concepts in a fresh, contemporary light. The Brief Second Edition now includes a more appealing art program, a benchmarked table of contents, and new movie reviews in the popular "Sociology at the Movies" boxes that explore the sociological messages within recent movies such as "Crash," "Brokeback Mountain," "Syriana," and many others. The authors also draw upon the real world with examples from Chris Rock's stand-up routine, the hip hop music scene, and the rituals of the Super Bowl, as well as scholarly discussions of topics ranging from race and poverty to religious practices.