Reading Between the Lines: Toward an Understanding of Current Social Problems

An anthology of 49 sociological writings from the perspectives of five major theoretical approaches to social problems: conflict theory, functionalism, symbolic interactionism, feminist theory, and social constructionism. Eleven sections (including an introductory section) treat issues in the realms of: power, the economy, and class; poverty; race; gender; work; family; education; crime and the criminal justice system; illness and health care; and the environment, technology, and population. Articles were selected to encourage critical thinking in students that would enable them to understand not just the problems themselves but also the politics of social problems debates. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.