Includes bibliographical references.

Preface -- The study of sociology -- Sociology as an individual pastime (from invitation to sociology) / Peter L. Berger -- From the sociological imagination / C. Wright Mills -- What makes sociology different? (from the Rules of Sociological Method.) / Emile Durkheim -- Public sociologies: contradictions, dilemmas, and possibilities / Michael Burawoy -- The My Lai massacre: a crime of obedience? (from Crimes of Obedience: Toward a Social Psychology of Authority and Responsibility) / Herbert C. Kelman and V. Lee Hamilton -- Telling the truth about damned lies and statistics / Joel Best -- Racism and research: the case of the Tuskegee syphilis study / Allan M.brandt -- Culture and society -- From Nike culture: the sign of the swoosh / Robert Goldman and Stephen Papson -- McDonald's in Hong King: consumerism, dietary change and the rise of a children's culture (from Golden Arches East) / James L. Watson -- A look behind the veil / Elizabeth W. Fernea and Robert A. Fernea -- Code of the street / Elijah Anderson -- Deviance and liminality (from Something Old, Something Bold: Bridal Showers and Bachelorette Parties) / Beth Montemurro -- Social interaction and identity -- On face-work / Erving Goffman -- Civility and order: adult social control of children in public places / Christine Horne, Mary Kris Mcilwaine, and Kristie A. Taylor -- The body and bathing: help with personal care at home / Julia Twigg -- Boyhood, organized sports and the construction of masculinities / Michael Messner -- Women without class: chicas, cholas, trash, and the presence/absence of class identity / Julie Bettie -- My secret life as a black man / Anthony Walton -- Love and race caught in the public eye / Heidi Ardizzone and Earl Lewis -- Go north, young man / Richard Rodriguez.

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