Sociology: a global introduction represents a uniquely co-ordinated and complete learning resource for sociology students worldwide. International in outlook and culturally wide-ranging, it also reminds us that sociology is valuable. Unrivalled in breadth, it is a text of passion and sophistication helping you become an active, connected and critical learner.

Sociology: a global introduction represents a unique, lively and complete learning resource for sociology students worldwide. International in outlook and culturally wide-ranging, it is unrivalled in breadth. It helps you to develop a critical sociological imagination and a better understanding of the challenges and joys of living in the 21st century.

5th edition highlights include:

• a story of how societies change runs throughout the book.  
• increased coverage and active, integrated engagement with theory and theorists throughout.
• a key focus on the recent global, cultural and digital 'turns' in social analysis.
• a link to the humanities concerned with art, history, film and literature.
• an explicit link to the core debates over values and politics in sociology in the modern world.
• fully updated statistics, maps, references and text throughout.
• thought-provoking images and maps to foster a sense of the developing 'visual sociology'.
• new 'hot' topics including digital methods, celebrities, citizenship and the sociology of happiness.

Critical engagement

This is an active book that helps you do sociology and think creatively. It is packed full of tips and resources to work with. Four features stress this:

1. My Task List ends each chapter with ten things to do: questions to ask, web sites to investigate, films and DVDs to watch, major debates to engage with.
2. Project Interludes link sections and integrate the parts through specific suggestions for students to research sport, food, music and biography.
3. Critical Thinking (Part 6) is a detailed closing section which integrates the book to the web site and brings together a major webliography, films, YouTube, artwork, key statistics and glossary - a major support for all students.
4. A wide range of discussion boxes on new developments in the twenty first century, social theory and research methods - encourage broad and critical engagement with the issues.

The Website

This major supporting website resource is closely integrated with Part 6 (Critical Thinking) of the book - use them independently or (for best results!) together.  You'll find:

• major links to key websites, art, novels and films - all will enhance your research and sociological thinking
• interactive self-test exercises, additional readings and podcasts from author and students around the world
• key sociological concepts explored
• power points and revision cards

Go to: www.pearsoned.co.uk/plummer

The key resource to help you do sociology - thinking, studying, investigating and interacting as a sociologist.

John J. Macionis is Professor of Sociology at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.

Ken Plummer is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Essex.