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My Life, My Groups, My World: A Practical Introduction to Sociology

My Life, My Groups, My World: A Practical Introduction to Sociology

Author(s): Jessica Burke

Edition: 1

Copyright: 2024

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$65.00 USD

ISBN 9798385124701

Details Ebook w/KHQ 180 days

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My Life, My Groups, My World offers a fresh, student-centered approach to understanding sociology by connecting academic concepts directly to students’ everyday experiences. Written by Jessica Burke, this practical introduction invites readers to explore the social world through three key lenses: the self, group dynamics, and broader societal structures.

With accessible language and relatable examples, the book helps students see how social forces shape personal choices, relationships, institutions, and global trends. It encourages critical thinking and reflection through interactive features, case studies, and real-world applications that ground sociological theory in daily life.

Whether exploring identity, family, education, culture, or inequality, Burke emphasizes relevance and inclusivity, making sociology not just a subject to study—but a tool to understand and engage with the world more intentionally.

Key Features:

  • Student-first structure organized around “self, groups, and world” for easy connection to real life
  • Interactive prompts and reflective exercises that deepen understanding of core concepts
  • Contemporary case studies on issues like social media, race, gender, and class
  • Strong focus on inclusivity and diverse perspectives throughout
  • Clear explanations of foundational theories without jargon or unnecessary complexity

Ideal for first-year college students, this text makes the discipline approachable, meaningful, and empowering.

Unit 1: Acquiring a Sociological Imagination  
Chapter 1: Foundations and Understanding 
Chapter 2: Researching Society 
Unit 2: Who am I? – Self, Groups, & Society 
Chapter 3: Culture, Change, and Becoming Ethnocentric 
Chapter 4: Who Am I? Socialization & The Self 
Chapter 5: My Life in Groups 
Unit 3: Stratification in the U.S. 
Chapter 6: My Social Class & Economic Inequality 
Chapter 7: Race and Ethnic Relations in my World 
Chapter 8: Gender and Sexuality in My World 
Unit 4: Social Institutions in My Life 
Chapter 9: My Life: The Family, Economy, and Education 
Chapter 10: My Life: Politics and Government, Religion, and Health 
Chapter 11: Deviance and Crime 
Unit 5: A Changing World 
Chapter 12: The World Around Me - Social Change & Movements 
Glossary 
References

Jessica Burke

Jessica L. Burke is a Professor of Sociology at Francis Marion University. Her research focuses on issues related to domestic violence and abuse, health, mental health, and community outreach programs. Dr. Burke has published her research in several peer-reviewed journals, including Sociological Imagination, Sociation, International Journal of Criminology and Sociology, Social Sciences, and Deviant Behavior. She has also published several book chapters that focus on the topics of health, domestic abuse, and various issues about violence in various edited books.

My Life, My Groups, My World offers a fresh, student-centered approach to understanding sociology by connecting academic concepts directly to students’ everyday experiences. Written by Jessica Burke, this practical introduction invites readers to explore the social world through three key lenses: the self, group dynamics, and broader societal structures.

With accessible language and relatable examples, the book helps students see how social forces shape personal choices, relationships, institutions, and global trends. It encourages critical thinking and reflection through interactive features, case studies, and real-world applications that ground sociological theory in daily life.

Whether exploring identity, family, education, culture, or inequality, Burke emphasizes relevance and inclusivity, making sociology not just a subject to study—but a tool to understand and engage with the world more intentionally.

Key Features:

  • Student-first structure organized around “self, groups, and world” for easy connection to real life
  • Interactive prompts and reflective exercises that deepen understanding of core concepts
  • Contemporary case studies on issues like social media, race, gender, and class
  • Strong focus on inclusivity and diverse perspectives throughout
  • Clear explanations of foundational theories without jargon or unnecessary complexity

Ideal for first-year college students, this text makes the discipline approachable, meaningful, and empowering.

Unit 1: Acquiring a Sociological Imagination  
Chapter 1: Foundations and Understanding 
Chapter 2: Researching Society 
Unit 2: Who am I? – Self, Groups, & Society 
Chapter 3: Culture, Change, and Becoming Ethnocentric 
Chapter 4: Who Am I? Socialization & The Self 
Chapter 5: My Life in Groups 
Unit 3: Stratification in the U.S. 
Chapter 6: My Social Class & Economic Inequality 
Chapter 7: Race and Ethnic Relations in my World 
Chapter 8: Gender and Sexuality in My World 
Unit 4: Social Institutions in My Life 
Chapter 9: My Life: The Family, Economy, and Education 
Chapter 10: My Life: Politics and Government, Religion, and Health 
Chapter 11: Deviance and Crime 
Unit 5: A Changing World 
Chapter 12: The World Around Me - Social Change & Movements 
Glossary 
References

Jessica Burke
Jessica Burke

Jessica L. Burke is a Professor of Sociology at Francis Marion University. Her research focuses on issues related to domestic violence and abuse, health, mental health, and community outreach programs. Dr. Burke has published her research in several peer-reviewed journals, including Sociological Imagination, Sociation, International Journal of Criminology and Sociology, Social Sciences, and Deviant Behavior. She has also published several book chapters that focus on the topics of health, domestic abuse, and various issues about violence in various edited books.