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Read more about Beyond Race: Cultural Influences on Human Social Life

Beyond Race: Cultural Influences on Human Social Life

(10 reviews)

Vera Kennedy

Copyright Year: 2018

Publisher: Vera Kennedy

Language: English

Formats Available

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CC BY-NC-SA

Reviews

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Reviewed by Sean Carey, Instructor, Northeastern Illinois University on 4/8/21

As stated in the preface, this book is designed for introductory courses. It does serve as an introduction to sociology concepts and terminology. The entire book is less than 75 pages though, so it would likely need to be supplemented with other... read more

Reviewed by Juarez Anita, Lecturer, California State University, Dominguez Hills on 12/31/20

This book offers a good introduction to cultural sociology. The content is relatively easy to grasp and, therefore, gives students a base understanding of key terms, concepts, and theories in the field. As stated in the preface, however, it is... read more

Reviewed by Nikolas Gonzales, Adjunct Professor, Bunker Hill Community College on 6/30/20

The ideas and thoughts were very well communicated and it seems to follow sociological topics that include culture without including race, which I think may be problematic in our current political and social climate. It should have been clearly... read more

Reviewed by Heloisa DaCunha, Professor, Middlesex Community College on 6/29/20

I find the content areas presented in the textbook to be thoroughly comprehensive; remarkably listing various forms of cultural concepts such as ways in which cultural groups are formed to different types of sub-cultural groups and how they shape... read more

Reviewed by Sheena Manuel, Assistant Professor, Bridgewater State University on 6/28/20

This book introduces the main ideas surrounding culture: theory, race, geographic location, religion, gender, age, etc. This is a good introductory text, however it lacks an index or glossary. The author included a reference list and a list of key... read more

Reviewed by Mara Pierce, Assistant Professor of Art Education, Montana State University - Billings on 1/15/20

The links provide a wide range of supplemental material that serves to augment the body well. The text covers the usual points of understanding culture and society from a sociological perspective. However, there are points at which race does... read more

Reviewed by Christian Bolden, Associate Professor, Loyola University New Orleans on 4/25/19

Beyond Race provides the basics in conceptualizing the subject of culture. The text briefly touches on subjects, but does not provide advanced depth. The purpose of the book seems to be an introduction to the concepts related to culture. The... read more

Reviewed by Marjorie Momplaisir-Ellis, Adjunct Lecturer , New York City College of Technology on 3/30/19

Beyond Race goes far beyond race to discuss social class, gender identity and religion and their impact on our lives. The author provides information from the macro level down to the individual micro level. There are examples of "traditional"... read more

Reviewed by Steve Rust, Part-time Instructor, Linn-Benton Community College on 3/7/19

The title of this book is confusing because this is not a book about Race but a basic introduction to sociology textbook. For those seeking to teach a 100-level course on cultural sociology this book would work very well as an OER source. The... read more

Reviewed by Nicole English, Assistant Professor, Fort Hays State University on 11/29/18

This textbook starts by defining basic terms, then building on these basic concepts to more complicated concepts. It is very straightforward in explanations, yet engaging and readable for students. It is a very comprehensive introductory text... read more

Table of Contents

  • Module 1: Culture and Meaning
  • Module 2: Culture As A Social Construct
  • Module 3: Cultural Power
  • Module 4: Cultural Identity
  • Module 5: The Multicultural World

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About the Book

The book is supported by discussion of relevant theory and research in cultural sociology. Beyond Race: Cultural Influences on Human Social Life has stressed learner-centered teaching with the instructor taking on the role of a facilitator of learning. As such, it is expected the instructor will serve as the mediator between the content of this book and learners’ understanding of material on multiple and higher levels. This book does not offer a set of rules in teaching cultural sociology, but rather suggests content and applications to consider and modify as needed by the ever-changing dynamics of instructors and learners.

About the Contributors

Author

Vera Kennedy, West Hills College Lemoore

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