Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials

Diana Kendall is professor of sociology at Baylor University, where she has been recognized as an Outstanding Professor. She has taught a variety of courses, including Introduction to Sociology, Sociological Theory (undergraduate and graduate), Sociology of Medicine, Sociology of Law, and Race, Class and Gender. Previously, she enjoyed many years of teaching sociology and serving as chair of the Social and Behavioral Science Division at Austin Community College. Dr. Kendall's areas of specialization and primary research interests are sociological theory and the sociology of medicine. In addition to SOCIOLOGY IN OUR TIMES: THE ESSENTIALS, she is the author of THE POWER OF GOOD DEEDS: PRIVILEGED WOMEN AND THE SOCIAL REPRODUCTION OF THE UPPER CLASS (Rowman & Littlefield, 2002), MEMBERS ONLY: ELITE CLUBS AND THE PROCESS OF EXCLUSION (Rowman & Littlefield, 2008) and FRAMING CLASS: MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS OF WEALTH AND POVERTY IN AMERICA, 2nd Edition (Rowman & Littlefield, 2012). Her most recent scholarly publication is "Class: Still Alive and Reproducing in the United States", a book chapter in PRIVILEGE: A READER, 4th Edition (2016, Westview Press). Dr. Kendall is actively involved in national and regional sociological associations, including the American Sociological Association, the Society for the Study of Social Problems and the Southwestern Sociological Association. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was invited to membership in Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

"Kendall's SOCIOLOGY IN OUR TIMES: THE ESSENTIALS, 12th edition, introduces you to the study of sociology through captivating, real-life stories as well as timely topics such as the relationship between suicide, bullying and social media. The author humanizes sociology, showing you how it is at work in society and can be applied to everyday life and the pressing social issues we face. You'll learn how you can make a difference in your community -- and the world. You'll also examine issues making headlines, such as the war on gun control and policies to help prevent military suicides. Photos and videos complement the text's main themes of diversity, the application of sociology to everyday life, global comparisons, media and social change, particularly as it relates to social media and other forms of technology spurring new ways of interacting." -- Amazon