This mainstream text is characterized by its superior scholarship, accessible writing style, unmatched coverage of diversity, and unparalleled, integrated technology resources. Treating diversity as central to the rich fabric of our society, the authors include research and data that illustrate how class, race-ethnicity, gender, age, geographic residence, and sexual orientation relate to the topics covered. Speaking to students in a friendly and inviting way, the authors encourage them to think globally, question commonly held beliefs, assess different perspectives used by sociologists, and to use this process to understand the forces that generate change and continuity in our society. The Third Edition is enhanced with new features, new coverage, and new technology tools designed to help students not only master the topics of sociology and learn to think sociologically, but also to retain key ideas long after they have finished the course. For example, Chapter 1 includes information on how to spot a bad study, how media slant research, and how to otherwise be critical consumers of research. The fully integrated technology program includes a free SocCoach CD-ROM that allows students to review chapter content, conduct online research, think critically about sociology statistics, watch well-known sociologists discussing important concepts, and complete book-specific quizzes.