As the title suggests, Mapping the Social Landscape is about exploration and discovery. It means taking a closer look at a complex, ever-changing social world in which locations, pathways, and boundaries are not fixed. Because sociology describes and explains our social surroundings, it enables us to understand this shifting landscape. Thus, sociology is about discovering society and discovering ourselves. The purpose of this anthology is to introduce the discipline of sociology and to convey the excitement and the challenge of the sociological enterprise.

Although a number of readers in introductory sociology are already available for students, I have yet to find one that exposes students to the broad diversity of scholarship, perspectives, and authorship that exists within the field of sociology. This diversity goes beyond recognizing gender, racial-ethnic, and social class differences to acknowledging a plurality of voices and views within the discipline. Like other anthologies, this one includes classic works by authors such as Karl Marx, Max Weber, Talcott Parsons, and C. Wright Mills; in addition, however, I also have drawn from a wide range of contemporary scholarship, some of which provides newer treatments of traditional concepts. This diversity of viewpoints and approaches should encourage students to evaluate and analyze the sociological ideas and research findings presented.

In addition, because I find it invaluable in my own teaching to use examples from personal experiences to enable students to see the connection between “private troubles and public issues,” as C. Wright Mills phrased it, I have included in this collection a few personal narratives to help students comprehend how social forces affect individual lives. Thus, this anthology includes classic, as well as contemporary writings, and the voices of other social scientists, who render provocative sociological insights. The readings also exemplify functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionist perspectives and different types of research methodology. Each article is preceded by a brief headnote that sets the context within which the reader can seek to understand the sociological work. Thus, the selections communicate an enthusiasm for sociology while illustrating sociological concepts, theories, and methods.

During the last 25 years, sociology has benefited from a rich abundance of creative scholarship, but many of these original works have not been adequately presented in textbooks or readers. I believe an introductory anthology needs to reflect the new questions concerning research and theory within the discipline. Moreover, I find that students enjoy reading the actual words and research of sociologists. This anthology, therefore, includes many cutting edge pieces of sociological scholarship and some very recent publications by recognized social analysts. Current issues are examined, including childhood school cliques, teen pregnancy, depression and identity, gangs, the tattoo subculture, gay and lesbian families, T.V. talk shows, working at McDonald’s, the effects of globalization, racism in the United States, the Internet, poverty, military boot camps, teen suicide, eating disorders, elite boarding schools, and the political influence of corporate PACs. In essence, I have attempted, not to break new ground, but to compile a collection that provides a fresh, innovative look at the discipline of sociology.

Changes to the Fourth Edition

With this fourth edition, I maintain a balance of classical and contemporary readings. In addition to many of the classic pieces that appeared in the third edition, I have added Kingsley Davis’ and Wilbert Moore’s classic work on some principles of stratification. I also have brought back Talcott Parson’s classic selection on the social structure of medicine. Both of these classic pieces are wonderful “lead” articles for the sections they are in, and they lay the groundwork for enhanced sociological understanding. Other changes I have made to the Table of Contents include the addition of twenty selections of cutting-edge contemporary sociological research that illustrate analyses of timely social issues and the intersections between race, social class, and gender. These new selections examine cosmetic surgery, women in racist groups, a prison riot, rape on college campuses, the working poor, racial dynamics at the slaughterhouse, Native Americans and casinos, HIV/AIDS in Africa, religion in the United States, working mothers, Iraq and the war against terrorism, and multiracial identities. Among these readings are some selections that I consider to be contemporary classics in that they provide an overview of the discipline of sociology or a specific content area. These readings include an essay by Michael Schwalbe on how the social world works; a now classic work by Michael Omi and Howard Winant on the social construction of race in the United States; and an essay by Amitai Etzioni on community building. Based on reviewers’ comments I also have added a separate section on the institution of the mass media, which highlights the work of Marty Marger and Gregory Mantsios, as well as an excerpt from Todd Gitlin’s new book, Media Unlimited: How the Torrent of Images and Sounds Overwhelms Our Lives (2001). I also have extensively revised the sections on race, health and medicine, and social change. I think the students will find the newer pieces in these sections more accessible and interesting. Of course, for all of the readings, I have tried to choose selections that are compelling to students and demonstrate well the diversity within the discipline of sociology. Please note that I welcome feedback from professors and students on this edition of Mapping the Social Landscape. You can e-mail me at Grinnell College. My e-mail address is fergusos@grinnell.edu.