Sociologists in Action
Sociology, Social Change, and Social Justice

Second Edition

Edited by:

Kathleen Odell Korgen - William Paterson University
Jonathan M. White - Bentley University, USA
Shelley K. White - Simmons College, Boston

Other Titles in:
Social Problems | Sociology

March 2013 | 320 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

The only text to provide real-life examples of how practicing sociologists use sociology to work toward social change and social justice!

Providing vivid examples of how sociologists are using sociological tools to make a positive impact on our society, this one-of-a-kind book helps students better understand how their study of sociology can be put to good use in today’s world. Each of the 14 chapters, closely aligned with key topics in sociology courses, is filled with stories from practicing sociologists that help students better understand how their sociology studies can be applied and provides answers to the question, “…but what can I do with a sociology degree?”

Discussion questions and suggested additional readings and resources at the end of each chapter give students the opportunity to delve further into the topics covered and carry out full and nuanced discussions, grounded in the “real world” work of public sociologists.

The Sociological Perspective

Sociology: Promise and Potential Through Praxis

Cheryl Joseph

Human Rights and the Sociological Imagination: How Sociologists Can Help Make the World a Better Place

Mayra Gómez

Stand Up and Speak Out

Judith Wittner

Getting Behind the Headlines and Going Where the Action Is: My Career as A Sociologist in Non-Academic Settings

Georgette F. Bennett

Theory

Critical Mixed-Race Studies: The Intersections of Identity and Social Justice

Andrew Jolivette

Doing Sociology: Creating Equal Employment Opportunities

Menah Pratt-Clarke

Using Sociology for College Success

Laura Nichols

Research Methods

The Michigan Alcohol and Other Drugs School Survey

Thomas L. Van Valey

Using Sociological Skills for Movements to Confront Power: The Genesis of the Research Institute on Social and Economic Policy (RISEP)

Bruce Nissen

Positive Deviance Research as a Way to Help People

Samuel R. Friedman

Culture

Academic as Social Entrepreneur: Creating Organizations for Social Change

Juliet Schor

Excerpt From ‘The Diary of a Mad Social Scientist

Corey Dolgon

Youth Culture, Identity, and Resistance: Participatory Action Research in a Puerto Rican Barrio

Nilda Flores-González and Michael Rodríguez-Muñiz

Socialization

Socialization, Stereotypes, and Homelessness

Michele Wakin

Reengaging Activism in the Socialization of Undergraduate Students

Shelley White

Dangerous Behaviors? Police Encounters With Juvenile Gang Offenders

Susan Guarino-Ghezzi

Deviant Behavior

Reducing Hate and Prejudice on Campus: A Sociologist’s Contributions”

Jack Levin

Using Evidence-Based Research to Inform Public Policy: Lessons from Hurricane Katrina

David S. Kirk

The Politics of Protest Policing

Alex S. Vitale

From Damaged Goods to Empowered Patients

Adina Nack

Social Movements

Never Again Must Mean Never

Ellen J. Kennedy

Change the World—Start at School

Mikaila Mariel Lemonik Arthur

A Campus Gun-Free Zone Movement

Rob Benford

Social Movements and Activist Sociology

Charles Derber

Stratification and Social Class

Housing and Homelessness in Maine: A Case of Public Sociology in Practice

Joe Bandy

Relocating the Homeless—or Not!

James D. Wright

Sociology Is Action: Using Sociology for Children’s Rights

Jonathan White

Race and Ethics Relations

Bridging the Campus and the Community: Blogging About the Asian American Experience

C. N. Le

The Responsibilities of Relationships: Using Sociology to Build Meaningful Alliances

Barbara Gurr

Putting Sociology to Work in Winnersville, USA

Mark Patrick George

Methods of Truth and Reconciliation

David Cunningham

Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

Sex in Some Cities: Explorations of AIDS/HIV Education and Hooking Up

Rebecca Plante

A Public Sociology of Gender and Masculinity

Michael Kimmel

The Southern West Virginia Photovoice Project: Community Action Through Sociological Research

Shannon Elizabeth Bell

Getting the Message Out

Susan Stall

Globalization and Immigration

Interracial Conflict and Attempts at Reconciliation in Auburn, Maine

Joe Bandy, with Elspeth Benard (Dennison)

How Culture Matters in Poverty Alleviation Efforts: Microcredit and Confucian Ideas in Rural China

Becky Hsu

Localizing International Human Rights: Engaging with the World Social Forum Process

Jackie Smith

Informed Debate in a Political Minefield

Irene Bloemraad

Community-Based Research and Immigrant Rights

Leah Schmalzbauer

Environmental Justice

Reducing Pesticide Exposure Risks: An Environmental Sociologist’s Role

(Hanna-) Andrea Rother

Using a Sociological Tool Kit to Make Energy Efficiency Happen

Lou Jacobson

Activist Scholarship for Environmental Justice

David Naguib Pellow

The Sociology of Environmental Justice: Merging Research and Action

Daniel Faber

Social Institutions (Family, Economy)

Sociological Advocacy for Children

Yvonne Vissing

From Hollowing Out the Middle to Reimagining Small Towns

Patrick J. Carr

Why Don’t We Do Something About It?’ Response to Job Loss in Rural Communities

Leslie Hossfeld

Social Institutions, Continued (Education, Government, Religion)

A Sociologist as a Social Seismographer: Understanding the Earthquake in Class Inequality in U.S. Higher Education

Sigal Alon

Promoting Community Environmental Sustainability Using a Project-Based Approach

Dadit Hidayat, Randy Stoecker, and Heather Gates

Using Sociology to Counter Stereotypes: The Case of American Muslims

John O’Brien and Besheer Mohamed

Out of the Tower and Into the Capitol: How Sociology Students Helped Spark the Wisconsin Uprising 277

Charity A. Schmidt

Democracy Matters: Giving Students a Political Voice

Joan D. Mandle

I like Newman's books better.

Dr Henry Bartlett

History, Philosophy & Social Sciences, SUNY Broome

April 8, 2015

Report this review

Well written, with appropriate emphasis on primary research and engagement. I tried it for a semester it because it was available as part of a low cost bundle and have been impressed by some other texts edited by the same authors. Probably not the best choice for community college students whose opinions about social justice and positive social change may or may not mesh with the authors- workable and maybe useful as a secondary text with well designed assignments. Norton's "Contexts Reader" was a better, if overpriced and somewhat outdated choice for my students though I am sure that Sociologists in Action would be excellent in other contexts.

Ms Cynthia Coleman

Social Science Dept, Tompkins Cortland Cmty College

October 9, 2014

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Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Kathleen Odell Korgen

Kathleen Odell Korgen is Professor of Sociology at William Paterson University, a comprehensive university in Wayne, New Jersey. Kathleen enjoys teaching her students that sociology is a remarkably useful discipline and highlights how “Sociologists in Action” make a positive impact on society. Her published works on race relations and racial identity include From Black to Biracial, Crossing the Racial Divide, Multiracial Americans and Social Class, Race Policy and Multiracial Americans. Her teaching texts, in addition to Sociology in Action, include Our Social World, The Engaged Sociologist, Sociologists in Action, ,... More About Author

Jonathan Michael White

Jonathan M. White, PhD, is director of the Bentley Service Learning Center and associate professor of sociology at Bentley University in Massachusetts. His primary areas of specialization are inequality, poverty, globalization, human rights, and public sociology. Dr. White has received numerous teaching and humanitarian awards. He is the founding director of Sports for Hunger, the Hunger Resource Center, and the Halloween for Hunger, We are Silent, and Pass-the-Fast campaigns. He serves on the board of directors for Free The Children, Peace Through Youth, Me to We, and the Graduation Pledge Alliance.... More About Author

Shelley K. White

Shelley K. White, PhD, MPH, is a sociologist and Assistant Professor of Health Sciences and Public Health at Worcester State University. She recently taught in the Sociology Department at Simmons College, where she also coordinated the Simmons World Challenge - an interdisciplinary, student-led learning program which creates actionable solutions to global social justice problems. Shelley’s teaching and research focus on health and illness, globalization and development, inequalities, social movements and social justice. She previously worked in HIV/AIDS policy globally and domestically, and serves on the board of directors of Free the... More About Author

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