The essence of sociology lies in the sociological imagination. Sociology in Action: A Canadian Perspective, Second Edition articulates the importance of developing a sociological imagination and highlights the tools that are necessary to develop that skill: empirical research methods that create verifiable knowledge, sociological theories that explain that knowledge, and critical thinking that enables us to evaluate and to extrapolate from that knowledge.

By the time students have completed this text, they will be better equipped to engage in effective social action in the context of their families, communities, and professions, as well as in the context of larger social problems such as social inequality and environmental degradation.

With their signature passion and clarity of style, Diane Symbaluk and Tami Bereska have created a text that will inspire 21st-century learners to become active and informed citizens.

Part One: Practicing Sociology: Your Sociological Toolkit
Chapter 1: Seeing and Acting Through the Lens of Sociology
Chapter 2: Applying Sociological Research Methods

Part Two: Society and Self: The Foundations
Chapter 3: “I Am Canadian”: What Is “Canadian” Culture?
Chapter 4: Socialization: The Self and Social Identity
Chapter 5: Social Inequality in Canadian Society
Chapter 6: Mass Media: Living in the Electronic Age

Part Three: The Micro and Macro of Our Everyday Lives
Chapter 7: Sex, Gender, and Sexualities: Deconstructing Dualisms
Chapter 8: Race and Ethnicity: Defining Ourselves and Others
Chapter 9: Canadian Families: Past, Present, and Future
Chapter 10: Learning What Is “True”: Religion, Science, and Education
Chapter 11: Social Control, Deviance, and Crime
Chapter 12: Health and Illness: Is It “Lifestyle,” or Something More?

Part Four: Our Changing World
Chapter 13: Social Change: Collective Behaviour and Social Movements
Chapter 14: “Going Green”: Environmental Sociology
Chapter 15: Globalization: The Interconnected World

The essence of sociology lies in the sociological imagination. Sociology in Action: A Canadian Perspective, Second Edition articulates the importance of developing a sociological imagination and highlights the tools that are necessary to develop that skill: empirical research methods that create verifiable knowledge, sociological theories that explain that knowledge, and critical thinking that enables us to evaluate and to extrapolate from that knowledge. By the time students have completed this text, they will be better equipped to engage in effective social action in the context of their families, communities, and professions, as well as in the context of larger social problems such as social inequality and environmental degradation. With their signature passion and clarity of style, Diane Symbaluk and Tami Bereska have created a text that will inspire 21st-century learners to become active and informed citizens. Critical Thinking in Action boxes provide students with specific opportunities to think critically about particular issues by evaluating, questioning, or deconstructing certain pieces of knowledge or claims to truth, or by extrapolating from the material addressed in the body of the chapter to a broader question or social problem. Learning Objectives and Outcomes are numbered statements about the intended knowledge and/or skills students should be able to demonstrate following a thorough reading of the chapter. The Learning Objectives and Outcomes run throughout the body of the chapter to encourage critical, focused reading. Opening quotations begin each chapter; they are well-known quotes intended to spark the reader’s interest and set the tone for the chapter by highlighting a central concept, issue, or paradox that is pertinent to the topic covered in that chapter. Sociology on Screen discusses documentaries and/or fictional films that illustrate key concepts and processes.