Sociology Australia: Second Edition

Why study sociology? Sociology gives us the tools we need to understand our life and the lives of the people around us. It reveals that our commonsense view of the world isn't always right, and enables us to find out what actually shapes our experiences. In this introductory text, Judith Bessant and Rob Watts show readers how to develop a sociological perspective on what is happening in Australia today. Rapid and far-reaching social changes are taking place: globalization is impacting on the economy and culture; many people worry about the decline of "family values", and immigration is a heated issue. Using a sociological perspective we can explain why different groups of people experience these changes as exciting, unsettling or devastating. The book is structured around six key questions: What is sociology? Who are we and how do we come to be who we are? How do we know the world in which we live? Can we make our lives as we want them? Who makes the decisions that shape our society? What changes are taking place in Australia today? An introduction to the discipline of sociology for students and anyone else interested in the dynamics of Australian society, this second edition has been fully revised and updated, and includes new chapters on ethics and research, and on health.