Social Problems and the Quality of Life - Softcover

Lauer, Robert H.; Lauer, Jeanette C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0073380121 ISBN 13: 9780073380124

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities Social, 2007

Synopsis

Focusing on quality of life, this text defines what a social problem is and then addresses specific issues for example, how can one gain a sociological understanding of social problems? What kinds of critical thinking should one engage in and what kinds should one avoid in attempting to understand social problems? How is the quality of one's life affected by particular problems? What causes these problems and how can we resolve them? Part One establishes key approaches to social problems; the remaining parts discuss the social problems that most acutely impact the quality of our lives.

About this title

From the Publisher

Global Comparisons boxes add a new dimension to students' understanding of a social problem by seeing the causes and effects in other nations.
Expanded coverage of cross-cultural issues and problems such as the economy, juvenile violence and gangs, and anti-government militias expand the boundaries of various problems.
Greater emphasis on critical thinking gives students the skills to analyze social problems in the text, as well as other problems they may encounter later on.
Nearly 400 new references! Updated material using both empirical studies and recent government data.
Unbiased and objective analysis of social problems does not favor one theoretical perspective over another.
Organized around the "quality of life" theme, giving the book a sense of continuity and keeping it grounded on the fact that human beings are the chief victims of social problems and the chief beneficiaries of their solutions.
"What is to be done" sections go beyond the mere analysis of a problem, and encourage students to seek solutions by suggesting ways for ameliorating each problem discussed.
Pedagogy- - Learning Objectives, Focus Questions, Chapter introductions, bold-faced terms, boxed inserts, summary, Key Terms, Study Questions, further reading, and Glossary.
"Global Comparisons" boxes
Even greater emphasis on critical thinking.
Increased coverage of cross-cultural issues and problems.
Expanded discussions of racial issues, juvenile violence and gangs, anti-government militia
Unbiased and objective analysis of social problems that does not favor one theoretical perspective over another. (Neubeck, MH '97, favors critical approach by design.)
Organized around the "quality of life" theme.
"What Is To Be Done?" sections that provide students with suggestions for ameliorating each problem discussed.
Pedagogy: Learning objectives, Focus questions, chapter introductions, bold-faced terms, 3 types of boxed inserts, Chapter summaries, Key terms, Study questions, For Further Reading, Glossary

About the Author

Robert H. Lauer is currently Research Professor at Alliant International University in San Diego, California. He received his Ph.D. in Sociology from Washington University, St. Louis. He has taught at Washington University, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, and Alliant International University. He has authored or co-authored 22 books and numerous journal articles. He is listed in: American Men and Women of Science, Contemporary Authors, Who's Who in the Midwest, Who's Who in the West, International Authors and Writer's Who's Who, and Dictionary of International Biography. He has been selected numerous times as Outstanding Teacher by Sociology students. His special interests are marriage and family, social problems, and social psychology.

Edition details

• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities Social
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0073380121
• ISBN 13: 9780073380124
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 553