Overview

SOCIOLOGY AS A LIFE OR DEATH ISSUE is a brief, five-chapter book that examines the social causes of death through analyses of hip hop culture, the motivations of Palestinian suicide bombers, and the plight of victims of hurricanes in the Caribbean region and the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The five linked essays take readers into worlds that figure prominently in today's popular culture and headline news stories. Ending with a synopsis of the promise of sociology as a vocation, this book is a guide for students of sociology and for anyone with an inquiring mind who hopes for a better world for future generations.

Full Product Details

9780495600756

Table of Contents

Reviews

Outstanding book - I loved reading it. Is this the entire book? Are there more chapters coming out?...The author approaches subjects that are controversial (rap music and suicide bombers) and does an excellent job giving both sides of the issue without any chance that anyone could get offended. And that takes an excellent writer. Yes, I could definitely see me incorporating this into my class. I think it would make a great second book to a major intro text. I would assign different chapters to the various topics that we cover in the intro course. For example, I would have them read the second chapter while we are discussing race. The blending of the two readings would make for a great educational experience. There are several aspects that I really like about this book. It is very interesting and very well written. It is written in a format that is an 'easy read' in that my students would not get intimidated at the same time I feel it is not 'dumbing down' the material. The length of the chapters is just right - too many sociology books have chapters that are too long. Scott Potter, Marion Technical College.

Robert Brym's SOCIOLOGY AS A LIFE OR DEATH ISSUE is likely the most approachable short book for students since Howard Becker's OUTSIDERS. I see [it] as a modern-day INVITATION TO SOCIOLOGY melded with Mills's THE SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION set to the chorus of contemporary issues in North America. Bravo! Not only does Brym weave three seemly unrelated topics a hip hop culture; the Israel/Palestine conflict; and Hurricane Katrina, he does so in a way that is challenging and value-neutral. Absolutely [I would adopt this text]! In fact, with the Virginia Tech shootings, I wish that I could give it to my students NOW. I find it critical and approachable a perfect for an introductory Sociology class. In place of a reader, I could see Brym's book leading to a multitude of discussions about the construction of knowledge and social understanding in society. The distinctive quality of this book is that it not only weaves a modern INVITATION TO SOCIOLOGY with current issues that would be of interest to students but also introduces major concepts and theories of our disciplinea]it is written in a plain-spoken, almost personal, manner that I believe will really connect readers with the issues and conclusions. I believe this book could become a staple of sociology classes. Casey Cornelius, Delta College

The choice of topics is excellent. This small book packs a lot of food for thought. It provides wonderful modeling of the sociological imagination - this is something often lacking in standard textbook. The examples are timely and interesting. If you've ever been frustrated at not being able to teach the sociological imagination adequately - this book will assist one immensely to that end. Sue Wika, Minnesota State Community and Technical College.

Author Information

"Robert Brym (pronounced ""brim"") was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, studied sociology in Canada and Israel, and received his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, where he is now the S. D. Clark Professor of Sociology and Associate Chair (Undergraduate) of the Department of Sociology. Bob's research focuses on the social bases of politics and social movements in Canada, Russia, and the Middle East. His most recent book is Sociology as a Life or Death Issue, Third Canadian Edition (Toronto: Nelson Education, 2014). He is now conducting research on violence and intolerance in the Middle East and North Africa. Bob is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and has won several awards for his research and teaching, including the Northrop Frye Award and the University of Toronto's highest teaching honour, the President's Teaching Award. Sociology: Your Compass for a New World has been published in Canadian, Quebecois, American, Brazilian, and Australian editions."

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