Like its predecessors, the sixth edition of this concise text reflects Rick Schaefer's mission to bring readers a comprehensive, up-to-date presentation that teaches them how to think critically about society and their own lives from a wide range of classical and contemporary perspectives. Combining balanced coverage of theory with current research findings, distinctive social policy sections, examples and issues of interest to students, and abundant learning aids and exercises, this text will help students develop a sociological imagination. A complimentary copy of "Contexts: Understanding People in Their Social Worlds," the American Sociological Association's groundbreaking magazine, is packaged with every new copy of the sixth edition. <P>"In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, sociology has been called on to explain the social consequences of the attacks.... The introductory sociology class provides the ideal laboratory in which to study our own society and those of our global neighbors. Sociology can help students to better understand the workings of their own lives as well as of their society and other cultures." -- Richard T. Schaefer