Cultures and Societies in a Changing World 4th Revised edition

This text for courses in cultural sociology, sociology, and social problems uses classical and contemporary sociological theory to analyze traditional topics in the sociology of culture, such as culture and identity, as well as emerging topics, such as religious terrorism and the Internet, media revolutions and cultural communities, and global electronic culture. The text offers a comparative analysis of cultural objects and practices in Nigeria, China, the US, and the Middle East. The first four chapters investigate the connections between four elements: cultural objects, cultural creators, cultural receivers, and the social world. Later chapters look at two specific cases: social problems and business transactions in a multicultural world. Chapter summaries and discussion questions are included. This fourth edition includes updated examples from many different cultures, plus new coverage of nationalism, the construction of gender, and cross-cultural trust. Griswold teaches sociology at Northwestern University. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
In the Fourth Edition of Cultures and Societies in a Changing World, author Wendy Griswold illuminates how culture shapes our social world and how society shapes culture. Through this book, students will gain an understanding of the sociology of culture and explore stories, beliefs, media, ideas, art, religious practices, fashions, and rituals from a sociological perspective. Cultural examples from multiple countries and time periods will broaden students' global understanding. Students will develop a deeper appreciation of culture and society from this text, gleaning insights that will help them overcome cultural misunderstandings, conflicts, and ignorance and that will help equip them to live their professional and personal lives as effective, wise citizens of the world.