An introductory text covering the foundations of sociology and research strategies, the ideas of key thinkers such as Karl Marx and Max Weber, social inequality and stratification, institutions, and global social change. Features topic boxes, chapter-opening vignettes, sociological maps, questions, and summaries. This edition includes new US maps, a chapter on the natural environment, and expanded discussion on topics such as suicide, Asian Americans, and feminist research methods. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.