Jeanette C. Lauer

The seventh edition of Lauer and Lauer's best-selling anthology Sociology: Windows On Society has been significantly updated with fifteen new selections. The book continues to draw on both contemporary sources and the classical literature of sociology to explore the nature of social life, with an emphasis on issues of gender, race/ethnicity, and inequality. The editors have chosen articles that challenge preconceived notions and conventional wisdom while also demonstrating the distinctive power of the sociological viewpoint. The units are divided into parts to show how the selections fit into the topics covered in the introductory course. Major concepts are highlighted and explained in the introductions to the units, parts, and in each selection. Review questions and application projects encourage students to get involved in the learning process and help them better understand social research and methods. Related websites have been added to each selection so that students can pursue additional research on their own or as part of an assignment. Also new to this edition is a subject index. New selections in the seventh edition address such topics as: * The issue of equality in marriage compared across thirteen nations* How culture influences the sexuality of Asian Americans* Why some men are regular customers of strip clubs* Socializing problems of interracial couples* Why poverty is a structural, not a personal, problem* Everyday sexism* The economic differences between Republicans and Democrats* The issue of national security versus civil liberties* How technology affects interpersonal relationships* Violence and suffering among prostitutes* How social movements affect social policy

Lauer and Lauer's provocative anthology, Troubled Times: Readings in Social Problems, introduces students to a wide-ranging spectrum of social problems in the United States. The editors have selected articles that are informative, stimulating, and particularly relevant to student's lives. Students are encouraged to think critically about social problems through introductions for each unit and each article. Each section's thought-provoking introduction provides a general overview and grounds each selection in a larger context, which helps readers understand the relevance of the selections that follow. These introductions also identify and explain central issues, key concepts, and relationships among topics. Troubled Times: Readings in Social Problems offers the following benefits to instructors as well as students: *A focus on macro and micro factors involved in social problems. This volume takes into account the interplay of social structural and social psychological factors for each problem covered.*Personal application and involvement projects. At the end of each section is a project for personal application and involvement. These projects guide students in thinking about both how their lives may be affected by the problems discussed and how to engage in further research on their own.* Stimulates critical thinking and class discussion. Each selection begins with a focus question and concludes with critical thinking questions.*A focus on diversity. Most social problems have a severe impact on women and racial/ethnic minorities. The selections chosen in this reader reflect an emphasis on gender and race/ethnicity issues.*A discussion of solutions as well as problems. Several articles include discussion of possible solutions. Additionally, the Epilogue offers some guiding principles for beginning to deal with social problems.

Drawing on their own experiences and that of the stepfamilies with which they have worked, Robert and Jeanette Lauer give practical advice on how to deal with the top ten challenges in stepfamily life: loss, adjustment, personal identity, family identity, loyalty, conflicts, former spouses, resources, stepparenting, and marital intimacy.

Robert and Jeanette Lauer's Sociology: Contours of Society offers comprehensive but concise coverage in an affordable paperback format that does not overwhelm students. This unique text speaks to students. Its student-oriented, conversational writing style and inviting design connects with students on their own level--and asks them to apply what they learn to their own lives. Many examples, vignettes, and inserts include student-written material, which draws students into the text. There is little use of sociological jargon. All concepts are highlighted and defined as they are introduced. Each of the major sociological approaches is presented, with a balance between theoretical and empirical material. Features: * A special emphasis on critical thinking. Chapter Two shows students how to apply critical thinking to both popular and professional sources of information. Every chapter features an example of thinking critically well as a critical thinking exercise.* The use of engaging social science research. This adds a unique degree of factual content to the text. Every chapter makes reference to the type of research reported (e.g., participant observation, survey, experiment, etc.).* The integration of theory and methods. Both theory and methods are introduced in Chapter One, and their uses in various research studies are integrated into every subsequent chapter.* The inclusion of feminist theory. Feminist interpretations are given for many of the social issues raised.* A focus on diversity. Each chapter contains cross-cultural material that compares males and females as well as people from various racial, ethnic, and class backgrounds.* A global perspective. Comparisons with the societies of other nations are included in every chapter, along with an "Extensions" box that focuses on a particular country or group of nations.* A balance of micro and macro approaches.* Collaborative learning projects. "Explorations" boxes draw students into the learning process.* A chapter on science and technology. This is a topic not found in many comparable textbooks.* A comprehensive Instructor's Resource Guide/Testing Program is available.