The Meaning of Difference: American Constructions of Race, Sex and Gender, Social Class, and Sexual Orientation [Paperback]

Karen E. Rosenblum (Editor), Toni-Michelle C. Travis (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 007229602X | ISBN-13: 978-0072296020 | Publication Date: September 1, 1999 | Edition: 2 Sub

"The Meaning of Difference" is a combined text-reader about the social construction of difference as that operates in American formulations of race, sex and gender, social class, and sexual orientation. It is premised on the conviction that similar processes are operating when we see difference of color, gender, class, and sexuality - and that these processes likely also apply to other master statuses such as disability, ethnicity, or national-origin. Three framework essays provide the conceptual structure for the book. Each framework essay is followed by a set of readings that illustrate the concepts developed in the essays. Readings have been selected because they identify concepts that are generalizable to a variety of statuses.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Karen E. Rosenblum is Associate Professor of Sociology and Vice President for University Life at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. She is a former Director of Women’s Studies and the Women’s Studies Research and Resource Center and a faculty member in Cultural Studies. Professor Rosenblum received her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Her areas of research and teaching include sex and gender, language, and deviance.

Toni-Michelle C. Travis is Associate Professor of Government and Politics at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. She is also a faculty member in the Women’s Studies and African American Studies Programs. Professor Travis received her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago. Her areas of research and teaching include race and gender in political participation, and urban politics. She has served as the President of the National Capital Area Political Science Association and the Women’s Caucus of the American Political Science Association. She hosts Capital Regional Roundtable, a cable television show, and is a frequent commentator on Virginia politics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill College; 2 Sub edition (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007229602X
• ISBN-13: 978-0072296020
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,859,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great intro to social inequalities, June 12, 2008

By 

Robert Fenton (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Meaning of Difference: American Constructions of Race, Sex and Gender, Social Class, Sexual Orientation, and Disability (Paperback)

This book is absolutely fabulous. I had the honor of taking Prof. Rosenblum's class, which is great to use the book that she helped compose. I think this book is great in a scholastic setting, alone it might seem scattered and incongruent. With the class there comes discussions and lectures, also there were associated readings from the internet that helped focus students as well. The most important parts of the book are the framework essays, because they really explain a prominent sociological perspective that this book uses, the social constructionist paradigm. I hope that people can read this book and take away the important aspects from it, but not think that this book is particularly suited for coffee shop reading. It is a textbook meant for a classroom with heavy interaction from the teacher and students.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars College Textbook, March 4, 2005

By 

Butterfly (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Meaning of Difference: American Constructions of Race, Sex and Gender, Social Class, and Sexual Orientation (Paperback)

While the text offers important thought provoking articles and essays on Race Gender and Social Issues, it is not Student friendly text. A text with such a wide array of information should offer a section of review at the end of each reading. By having a review "for students", it ensures an understanding of concepts and objectives. Furthermore, it offers students a place to review when studying for exams. I give the text a 5 star rating for the informative articles and essays but 1 star for none existing review material.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars you'd never know if you don't read it, April 4, 2009

By 

Nancy Hue - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Meaning of Difference: American Constructions of Race, Sex and Gender, Social Class, Sexual Orientation, and Disability (Paperback)

We so often long to hear other people's perspectives. The problems are that we don't meet such people, we don't listen/hear if we are told the information, or we just have difficulty getting beyond our own cultural lens. This book gives many of the "other" perspective(s). I found the social class information particularly interesting. It's something to digest and not whiz through. I can't say enough about the wisdom in this book.. if you'll give yourself the chance to listen..