About the Open Textbook
The Development of Sociology
The Sociological Imagination
Conflict Theory
Assignment: Sociologist Player Trading Cards
Sociological Research
The Scientific Method
Ethics
Introduction to Research Methods
Field Research
Putting It Together: Sociological Research
Discussion: Sociology Research
Introduction to Culture
Symbols and Language
Introduction to Cultural Similarities and Differences
Cultural Universals
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
Functionalism on Culture and Technology
Conflict Theory on Culture and Technology
Discussion: Tattoos in Culture
Discussion: Media and Technology
Discussion: Media and Culture
Introduction to Socialization
Theories of Socialization
Introduction to Reality as a Social Construct
The Social Construction of Reality
Introduction to Agents of Socialization
Agents of Socialization
Resocialization
Discussion: Socialization
Types of Societies
Introduction to Theoretical Perspectives on Society
Functionalism and Society
Conflict Theory and Society
Symbolic Interactionism and the McDonaldization of Society
Introduction to Organizations and Groups
Group Dynamics
Leadership Styles
Assignment: Society and Groups
Why It Matters: Deviance, Crime, and Social Control
Introduction to Deviance
Conflict Theory and Deviance
Symbolic Interactionism and Deviance
The Criminal Justice System
Putting It Together: Deviance, Crime, and Social Control
Discussion: Deviance
Assignment: Deviance in the News
Why It Matters: Stratification and Inequality
Social Stratification, Social Inequality, and Global Stratification
Introduction to Social Mobility and Poverty
Introduction to Theoretical Perspectives on Stratification
Theoretical Perspectives on Social Stratification
Putting It Together: Social Stratification and Inequality
Discussion: Stratification
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Intergroup Relationships
Introduction to Race and Ethnicity in the United States
Asian Americans
Hispanic/Latino Americans
Introduction to Theories of Racial Inequality
Theoretical Perspectives of Race and Ethnicity
Putting It Together: Race and Ethnicity
Discussion: The Race Card Project
Assignment: Race and Ethnicity
Sex and Gender
Norms regarding sexual orientation and sexuality vary across cultures and are t
Sexual orientation is typically divided into at least four categories: heterose
Theoretical Perspectives on Sex
Discussion: Gender
Why It Matters: Marriage and Family
Defining Family
Marriage and Courtship Patterns
Lines of Descent and Family Stages
Variations in Family Life
Violence and Abuse
Why It Matters: Religion
Introduction to World Religions
Types of Religion
Hinduism
Taoism and Confucianism
Islam
Christianity
U.S. Trends in Religion
Religion and Social Change
Discussion: Religion
Assignment: World Religions
Why It Matters: Education
Universal Access to Education
Introduction to Theoretical Perspectives on Education
Functionalist Theory on Education
Conflict Theory on Education
Symbolic Interactionist Theory on Education
Introduction to Issues in Education
Hot Topics in Education
Charter Schools and Homeschooling
Putting It Together: Education
Assignment: Education Infographic
The Cultural Significance of Health
Health and Inequality in the United States
Mental Health and Disabilities
Putting It Together: Health and Medicine
Discussion: Health and Medicine
The Graying of the United States and the World
Introduction to the Aging Process
Death and Dying
Putting It Together: Aging and the Elderly
Discussion: Health and Aging Assignment
Why It Matters: Government and Politics
Introduction to Power and Authority
Introduction to Types of Government
Forms of Government
Introduction to Theoretical Perspectives on Government and Power
Theoretical Perspectives on Government
Putting It Together: Government and Politics
Discussion: Government and Politics
Why It Matters: Work and the Economy
Introduction to Economic Systems
Capitalism and Socialism
Theoretical Perspectives on Economics
Globalization
Work in the United States
Discussion: Work and the Economy
Assignment: Living in Poverty
Why It Matters: Population, Urbanization, and the Environment
Introduction to Demography and Population Growth
Demography and Population Growth
Introduction to the Environment and Society
Putting It Together: Population, Urbanization, and the Environment
Discussion: Population and Urbanization
Why It Matters: Social Movements and Social Change
Introduction to Collective Behavior
Causes of Social Change
Social Change, Technology, and Modernization
Assignment: Social Movements
Assignment: Social Movement Amidst the Racial Reckoning of 2020
« Previous
Reading progress:
88%
Next »
Introduction to Theories of Racial Inequality
Introduction to Theories of Racial Inequality
What you’ll learn to do: summarize the key ideas behind the three theoretical perspectives on racial inequality
We can examine issues of race and ethnicity through three major sociological perspectives: functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. As you read through these theories, ask yourself which one makes the most sense and why. Do we need more than one theory to explain racism, prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination?
<a style="margin-left: 16px;" target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vy-T6DtTF-BbMfpVEI7VP_R7w2A4anzYZLXR8Pk4Fu4"