For undergraduate Sociology courses in Race and Ethnic Relations.
This best-selling text provides students with the most accessible, comprehensive and current introduction to the issues confronting racial and ethnic groups in both the U.S. and other countries. Organized first by issues and then by major racial and ethnic groups, the text examines each group’s history, then explores its current situation and its concerns for the future.
Richard Schaefer, a leading scholar in the area of racial and ethnic relations, grew up in Chicago in the 1960's, at a time when neighborhoods were going through transitions in ethnic and racial composition. He found himself increasingly intrigued by what was happening, how people were reacting, and how these changes were affecting neighborhoods and people's jobs. This life-long interest led to a career in sociology, specifically in the areas of race, gender and social class. This book grew out of his desire to help students to understand the changing dynamics of the U.S. population.
Approach
“This book is one of the best textbooks available in the field of race and ethnic relations. Its socio-historical approach, comprehensive coverage, and accessible writing style make it noe of the top choices for adoption in a race and ethnic relations course.”
Phillip Yang
Texas Women’s University
“This text is a very good scholarly work expecially historical perspectives on American Racial minorities.”
Kebba Darboe
Minnesota State University
Content
“Race relations are an ever-changing phenomenon in our society. As it stands today, diversity is a must. This textbook challenges us to think in many different directions as it relates to race and ethnic groups in and outside of the United States. The students are challenged to look outside of the traditional perpective by gaining and understanding of other viewpoints. In addiction, students are challenged to embrace their cultures as well as other cultures. This textbook will provide the students with a great understanding of race and ethnicity. The topics are appropriate, logical, and realistic. The authors have a good command of the literature and present it well. The research is documented and sound. Upon reading this textbook students will be able to have a full understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity nationally and globally.”
CoSandra McNeal
Jackson State University
“I appreciate the fact that this text includes the experiences f women, Jewish Americans, the disabled, the aging, and sexual minorities in addition to other racial and ethnic groups. This text does a great job of addressing the experience of these “other” minorities.”
JeffriAnne Wilder
University of Florida
“The author does a much better job of using up to date materials and data than mnay other authors do and I appreciate this. The text does a good job of interpreting and calling attention to the information presented in charts, graphs, maps, etc.”
Mary L. Donaghy
Arkansas State University
“Author does a good job or using concrete examples and analogies to help explain concepts and theories.”
Mary L. Donaghy
Arkansas State University
Readability
“I really like the research focus and listen to our voices in every chapter. It gives the chapters more life and students are able to gain a better picture of the topics that are presented.”
CoSandra McNeal
Jackson State University
“Schaefer does an excellent job in providing students with theoretical knowledge of race relations, understanding diverse cultural styles, and challenging students to respect and appreciate diversity. The author brings these issues to life.”
CoSandra McNeal
Jackson State University
“I think that this text is not only interesting, but definitely designed with the student in mind. It is not overy laden with sociological jargon, and has a nice balance of contemporary issues that draw the reader into each chapter.”
JeffriAnne Wilder
University of Florida
Writing Style
“The biggest advantage to the writing syle of this text is that it is accessible and written in ‘everyday’ sociological language that students can understand.”
JeffriAnne Wilder
University of Florida
“I asked my students about the book and almost all of them said it was interesting, easy to read and understand and full of features they liked and used.”
Mary L. Donaghy
Arkansas State University
Features
“The boxed features are EXCELLENT―informative and exciting! There are not ways they can be improved.”
JeffriAnne Wilder
University of Florida
“This book stands along. Not only is it one of the most comprehensive texts on minority group relations, but it is timely, interesting, and accessible to both students and instructors.”
JeffriAnne Wilder
University of Florida
“The book has an excellent assortment of charts, tables, graphs, maps, etc. My students have responded very favorably to these features.”
Mary L. Donaghy
Arkansas State University
“A number of students commented favorably on the ‘Listen to Our Voices’ feature and liked the personal touch it added to the topic.”
Mary L. Donaghy
Arkansas State University
Coverage
“Schaefer does an excellent job in covering all the necessary topics in this course.”
CoSandra McNeal
Jackson State University
Organization
“The author gives the reader a full understanding of race relations as they are practiced everyday. By using this textbook, studens will learn to think outside of the usual box.”
CoSandra McNeal
Jackson State University
“The organization of this book is designed for students to embrace their own culture and appreciate other cultures that are different from their own.”
CoSandra McNeal
Jackson State University
Strengths
“The greatest strength of this book lies in its group chapters, i.e., Part III. I especially like its socio-historical approach, so that we can see the transformation of a racial or ethnic group and its relations with other groups from the past to the present.”
Phillip Yang
Texas Women’s University
“Part IV is another strength as it has a chapter on women and a chapter on inequality along the lines of age, disability, and sexual orientation.”
Phillip Yang
Texas Women’s University
“From the teacher’s standpoint, I find the textbook easy to use. It provides the students with a great deal information, both historical and current. I can then assume that the students have the basic knowledge they need to understand what I am elaborating on or adding during the class period or what is needed to have a productive class discussion.”
Mary L. Donaghy
Arkansas State University
