This book was written to bring a more cohesive thematic approach -emphasizing social/global change-to the introductory course and to give students a better understanding of sociology as it is applied to the real world. The text is accessible, while advanced students will be challenged with material in the exhibit boxes such as Sociological Methods and Mapping Social Change. This comprehensive, student-friendly introductory textbook emphasizes the reality of social change and its impact on individuals, groups, and societies throughout the world. The text carefully balances contemporary and classic theory and research, with special attention to the works of female and minority social scientists and cross-cultural studies. Kornblum applies all the major perspectives of sociology without giving undue emphasis to any single approach.