For undergraduate courses in Social Stratification, Race, Class, and Gender, and Introduction to Gender Studies. Using a concise and easy-to-understand style, this guide provides an integrated approach to the implications of social class, race and ethnicity, and gender-explaining how each relates to economic, social, and political inequality. Its straightforward perspective views the considerations of race and gender as central to a full appreciation of the composition and dynamics of class systems. A significant and effective organization incorporates fresh conceptualizations, new research findings, and data, with the fundamentals of social stratification. *NEW - A focus on digital technology - Stresses the importance of this major twentieth century development. Explores the implications of the digital revolution in industrial nations. *NEW - Up-to-date information and research throughout. Keeps students abreast of the latest findings in the field, and helps make the coverage more relevant and meaningful to their lives. *NEW - Expanded scope - Highlights more than just the central focus of the American experience. Directs students attention to other industrial systems of social stratification. *NEW - Chapter-end website listings - Capitalizes on the emphasis of the digital revolution. Offers students a valuable reference for obtaining additional and advanced information on the topics in each chapter. *Five-part organization - Part I gives a broad overview and introduction to the field; Part II provides an expanded discussion of the evolution and institutionalization of industrial class systems; Part III covers the basic elements of inequality: economics, prestige, and politics; Part Four includes separate chapters on life chances and lifestyles as well as class consciousness; and Part V offers an exploration of social mobility. Presents students and instructors with a flexible format that is easy to use with supplementary readers and paperbacks. *Key Concepts - Highlights the text with bold type throughout and appears in chapter-end lists. *Chapter-opening introductions. Alerts students to the basic ideas being discussed in each section, and introduces them to the conclusions that resolve the chapter. *A student-friendly writing style. Emphasizes substance and analysis, while remaining free from sociological jargon.
