Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (10th Edition) [Hardcover]

James M. Henslin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0205688624 | ISBN-13: 978-0205688623 | Publication Date: October 3, 2009 | Edition: 10

Down-to-Earth Approach

 

James Henslin shares the excitement of sociology, with his acclaimed "down-to-earth" approach and personal writing style that highlight the sociology of everyday life and its relevance to students' lives. With wit, personal reflection, and illuminating examples, he shares with readers his passion for sociology.

 

In addition to this trademark down-to-earth approach, other distinctive features include:

 

Comparative perspectives. Two important themes are global comparisons - the diversity of social life across cultures and societies - and comparisons over time - what society used to be like, and how it has changed.

 

The Globalization of Capitalism. Many examples highlight the ways in which our global economy influences the skills and knowledge we need, the work we do, and the cost of goods and services.

 

Visual Presentations of Sociology. Outstanding maps, graphs, and photos grab students' interest and aid comprehension.

Editorial Reviews

Review

It is very user-friendly with intriguing opening vignettes, comparative cultural experiences, and a written format that students enjoy. 

Denise Haskamp-Gebhardt

Central Methodist University

 

 

The students can relate well to the book, which makes learning easier for them. 

Jennifer R. Scroggins

The University of Tennessee

 

 

It is clearly written and has a good application of theoretical perspectives, concepts, and research. 

Sharon Bradwish Miller

College of DuPage

About the Author

James M. Henslin, who was born in Minnesota, graduated from high school and junior college in California and from college in Indiana. Awarded scholarships, he earned his Master’s and doctorate degrees in sociology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. After this, he was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the National Institute of Mental Health, and spent a year studying how people adjust to the suicide of a family member. His primary interests in sociology are the sociology of everyday life, deviance, and international relations. Among his numerous books is Down-to-Earth Sociology: Introductory Readings (Free Press), now in its twelfth edition. This book of readings reflects some of these sociological interests. He has also published widely in sociology journals, including Social Problems and American Journal of Sociology,

While a graduate student, Jim Henslin taught at the University of Missouri at St. Louis. After completing his doctorate, he joined the faculty at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, where he is Professor Emeritus of Sociology. He says, “I’ve always found the introductory course enjoyable to teach. I love to see students’ faces light up when they first glimpse the sociological perspective and begin to see how society has become an essential part of how they view the world.”

Henslin enjoys reading and fishing. His two favorite activities are writing and traveling. He especially enjoys visiting and living in other cultures, for this brings him face to face with behaviors and ways of thinking that he cannot take for granted, experiences that “make sociological principles come alive.”

Product Details

• Hardcover: 792 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon; 10 edition (October 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205688624
• ISBN-13: 978-0205688623
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT for College Students, September 22, 2010

By 

Ella Mentry (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (with MySocLab Student Access Code Card) (10th Edition) (Hardcover)

I needed this book for a sociology course and I think it is fantastic! The author has done an amazing job to help readers easily relate to the subject and keep it interesting by describing his own experiences & other people's experiences around the world. The definitions are even in boldface & described on the page so that you don't have to keep flipping back to the glossary. The book is informative, yet delightful as the author shows you how to use your sociological imagination & how to open your mind. I'd recommend this book to any person interested in sociology because of how clear & enjoyable it is to read. I've never had so much fun reading a textbook!

2.0 out of 5 stars Makes a few good points, but terribly written, November 2, 2011

By 

Cali Girl (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (with MySocLab Student Access Code Card) (10th Edition) (Hardcover)

I've never come across a textbook in which the author repeatedly referred to themselves. This man constantly mentions things like, "When I stayed at the homeless shelter" or "The time I was in Morocco, my height was an advantage". I now know he is 6' plus, blond haired and blue eyed. Maybe I'm wrong, but a textbook should be neutral. They aren't supposed to be the author's opinions (that's what a thesis would be for). He also seems to look down on other cultures and certain areas of our own society. He refers to an instance of a girl who was kept tied up for the first several years of her life as a pathetic story, and then again refers to frightened baby monkeys used in tests as "pathetically clinging to the terrycloth mother". What I believe is pathetic is that someone can look at these situations and refer to them in that way. Those stories are not pathetic, they're sad and horrible. I'm really surprised that this textbook is used so much. The author is very clearly infusing his own beliefs and values (or lack thereof) into this textbook.

The one good thing about this book is that he uses good examples to explain some of the terms.

Edit: Another problem I've run across is the table of contents leaves out major subjects in the text. The glossary does the same. Makes it extrememly difficult to go back and find one point.

1.0 out of 5 stars Biased and unprofessional, October 11, 2011

By 

Colin Hill - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (with MySocLab Student Access Code Card) (10th Edition) (Hardcover)

This is honestly the worst textbook I have ever seen. The author uses it not to present the consensuses of the scientific community but rather to air his own personal opinions, and the language and examples are so awkwardly colloquial that it makes one cringe to read it.

At one point, the author spends an entire page railing against the entire field of sociobiology, "disproving" the entire discipline by erroneously pointing out that biology can predict a pig's behavior because a pig doesn't have a cerebral cortex and by claiming that, because a particular gene which has been proposed as a "gay gene" is absent in some homosexuals, it clearly has absolutely no effect on sexual orientation and the cause of orientation must be 100% sociological. He continues remarks against sociobiological views throughout the text, despite citing several studies which demonstrate genetic components to human behavior (such as ones conducted on twins separated at birth). This is just one of several ways that Henslin demonstrates that he was really not setting out to write a textbook -- he was looking to state his unsubstantiated opinions as fact, and to present them to introductory students who might not know any better than to accept them.