Includes bibliographical references

Contents: Chapter 1 Culture -- What is culture? -- Development of culture around the world -- Explaining cultures -- Variations among cultures -- Variations within cultures -- Key terms -- Review questions -- chapter 2 Society -- Society and social structure -- Societies and their transformation -- Key terms -- Review questions -- chapter 3 Socialization -- Becoming human: socialization -- Theoretical perspectives on socialization -- Agents of socialization -- Socialization in adulthood -- Socialization through the life course -- Key terms -- Review questions -- chapter 4 Deviance -- What is deviance? -- Social control -- Explanations of deviance -- Key terms -- Review questions -- chapter 5 Groups and organizations -- Social groups -- Formal organizations -- Key terms -- Review questions -- chapter 6 Social stratification -- Social stratification -- Systems of social stratification -- Explanations of social stratification -- Social mobility -- Key terms -- Review questions -- chapter 7 Family -- Global view of the family -- Perspectives on families -- Alternative family forms -- Key terms -- Review questions -- chapter 8 Education -- An overview of education -- Education in global perspectives -- Perspectives on education -- Key terms -- Review questions -- chapter 9 Religion -- The elements of religion -- Basic types of religion -- Perspectives on religion -- The world's major religions -- Key terms -- Review questions -- chapter 10 The economy -- Economic systems in global perspective -- Contemporary world economic systems -- Perspectives on economy -- The social organization of work -- Key terms -- Review questions -- chapter 11 Politics and government -- Power and authority -- Types of government -- Perspectives on government -- Politics and violence -- Key terms -- Review questions -- chapter 12 Population -- Demography: the study of population -- theories of population growth -- The consequences of overpopulation -- Controlling population growth -- Key terms -- Review questions -- chapter 13 Social change -- What is social change? -- Modernity -- Key terms -- Review questions -- References -- Index.