Digital library
Textbooks, references and open learning resources.
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Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
Jennifer Ounjian · Contra Costa College
In the contents: 03: Theoretical Frameworks in Ethnic Studies and Sociology
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SOC 300: Introductory Sociology
Donnisha Lugo · Consumnes River College
In the contents: 01: An Introduction to Sociology · 1.02: What Is Sociology · 1.03: The History of Sociology
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Classical Sociological Theory and Foundations of American Sociology
Allison Hurst · Oregon State University · 2018
There are a few major themes that come up over and over again during the course of classical sociological theory’s development. All three classical theorists were writing at a time when sociology was a new and emerging discipline. This new discipline was called forth by momentous social changes taking place in European (and American) society during this time period. These changes were related to the rise of capitalism, industrialization, and new political representation for the majority of people (or, at least, a desire for such by many). Calls for socialism emerged as a response to recognition of new social divisions. Each of the three theorists you will read here weighed in on these historical changes, theorizing the contours and dynamics of this new “modern” society.
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Sociology in Everyday Life: An Equity Lens
Jennifer Puentes; Matthew Gougherty · Open Oregon Educational Resources · 2025
This openly licensed text uses a multi-level, intersectional feminist approach to frame our understanding of contemporary sociology in the United States. The text introduces a variety of concepts and theories that are helpful in understanding the social world in which we live. It asks and answers the questions “What is sociology?” “How do groups, networks, and social interactions shape our reality?” and “How do identities and social structures shape our opportunities?” Original content is licensed under CC BY 4.0, except as otherwise noted.
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Sociology of Gender: An Equity Lens
Heidi Esbensen; Dana Pertermann; Nora Karena · 2025
Sociology of Gender is an introductory textbook suitable for students of sociology and women, gender, and sexuality.
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Introduction to Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World
LibreTexts · 2024
It is no accident that many sociology instructors and students are first drawn to sociology because they want to learn a body of knowledge that can help them make a difference in the world at large. This text is designed for this audience and aims to present not only a sociological understanding of society but also a sociological perspective on how to improve society. In this regard, the text responds to the enthusiasm that “public sociology” has generated after serving as the theme of the 2004 annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, and it demonstrates sociology’s relevance for today’s students who want to make a difference in the world beyond them.
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Introduction to Sociology
Tonja Conerly; Kathleen Holmes; Asha Tamang · OpenStax · 2021
Introduction to Sociology 3e aligns to the topics and objectives of many introductory sociology courses. It is arranged in a manner that provides foundational sociological theories and contexts, then progresses through various aspects of human and societal interactions. The new edition is focused on driving meaningful and memorable learning experiences related to critical thinking about society and culture. The text includes comprehensive coverage of core concepts, discussions and data relevant to a diverse audience, and features that draw learners into the discipline in powerful and personal ways. Overall, Introduction to Sociology 3e aims to center the course and discipline as crucial elements for understanding relationships, society, and civic engagement; the authors seek to lay the foundation for students to apply what they learn throughout their lives and careers. The authors, reviewers, and the entire team worked to build understanding of the causes and impacts of discrimination and prejudice. Introduction to Sociology 3e contains dozens of examples of discrimination and its outcomes regarding social science, society, institutions, and individuals. The text seeks to strike a balance between confronting the damaging aspects of our culture and history and celebrating those who have driven change and overcome challenges. The core discussion of these topics are present in Chapter 11 on Race and Ethnicity, and Chapter 12 on Gender, Sex, and Sexuality, but their causes and effects are extensively discussed in the context of other topics, including education, law enforcement, government, healthcare, the economy, and so on. Together and when connected by an instructor, these elements have potential for deep and lasting effects.
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Introduction to Sociology
William Little; Ron McGivern · BCcampus · 2016
Introduction to Sociology adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical introductory sociology course. In addition to comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories, we have incorporated section reviews with engaging questions, discussions that help students apply the sociological imagination, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. Although this text can be modified and reorganized to suit your needs, the standard version is organized so that topics are introduced conceptually, with relevant, everyday experiences.For the student, this book is based on the teaching and research experience of numerous sociologists. In today's global socially networked world, the topic of Sociology is more relevant than ever before. We hope that through this book, students will learn how simple, everyday human actions and interactions can change the world. In this book, you will find applications of Sociology concepts that are relevant, current, and balanced. For instructors, this text is intended for a one-semester introductory course and includes these features: Sociological Research: Highlights specific current and relevant research studies. Sociology in the Real World: Ties chapter content to student life and discusses sociology in terms of the everyday. Big Picture: Features present sociological concepts at a national or international level. Case Study: Describes real-life people whose experiences relate to chapter content. Social Policy and Debate: Discusses political issues that relate to chapter content. Section Summaries distill the information in each section for both students and instructors down to key, concise points addressed in the section. Key Terms are bold and are followed by a definition in context. Definitions of key terms are also listed in the Key Terms, which appears at the end of each chapter. Section Quizzes provide opportunities to apply and test the information students learn throughout
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Introduction to Sociology 3e
Tonja R. Conerly; Kathleen Holmes; Asha Lal Tamang; Jennifer Hensley · OpenStax, Rice University
Introduction to Sociology 3e aligns to the topics and objectives of many introductory sociology courses. It is arranged in a manner that provides foundational sociological theories and contexts, then progresses through various aspects of human and societal interactions. The new edition is focused on driving meaningful and memorable learning experiences related to critical thinking about society and culture. The text includes comprehensive coverage of core concepts, discussions and data relevant to a diverse audience, and features that draw learners into the discipline in powerful and personal ways. Overall, Introduction to Sociology 3e aims to center the course and discipline as crucial elements for understanding relationships, society, and civic engagement; the authors seek to lay the foundation for students to apply what they learn throughout their lives and careers. The authors, reviewers, and the entire team worked to build understanding of the causes and impacts of discrimination and prejudice. Introduction to Sociology 3e contains dozens of examples of discrimination and its outcomes regarding social science, society, institutions, and individuals. The text seeks to strike a balance between confronting the damaging aspects of our culture and history and celebrating those who have driven change and overcome challenges. The core discussion of these topics are present in Chapter 11 on Race and Ethnicity, and Chapter 12 on Gender, Sex, and Sexuality, but their causes and effects are extensively discussed in the context of other topics, including education, law enforcement, government, healthcare, the economy, and so on. Together and when connected by an instructor, these elements have potential for deep and lasting effects. Changes made in Introduction to Sociology 3e are described in the preface to help instructors transition to the third edition. The second edition of Introduction to Sociology by OpenStax is available in web view here.
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Wellbeing, Freedom and Social Justice: The Capability Approach Re-Examined (Robeyns)
Ingrid Robeyns · Utrecht University
Wellbeing, Freedom and Social Justice: The Capability Approach Re-Examined is both an introduction to the capability approach and a thorough evaluation of the challenges and disputes that have engrossed the scholars who have developed it.
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Minority Studies
Ruth Dunn · Houston Community College
In the contents: 10: Websites of Interest to Students of Sociology · 10.01: Web Sites of Interest to Students of Sociology
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Contemporary Families - An Equity Lens
Elizabeth B. Pearce · Linn-Benton Community College
This openly licensed text, created with students, approaches contemporary families from an equity lens. It asks two questions relevant to the Difference, Power, and Discrimination outcomes at Linn-Benton Community College and Oregon State University: “What do families need?” and “How do society and institutions support or get in the way of families getting what they need?
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Deleting Dystopia: Re-Asserting Human Priorities in the Age of Surveillance Capitalism
Richard A. Slaughter · Australian Foresight Institute
Deleting Dystopia confirms that the existential threats posed by the misuse of advanced digital technologies are real. But, in place of apathy and fatalism, Slaughter explores ways of understanding the threat, conceptualising solutions and identifying strategies that lead away from digital authoritarian futures towards those funded on humanly viable values and practices.
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A Theory of Literate Action - Literate Action II
Charles Bazerman · University of California, Santa Barbara
In the contents: 1.04: Active Social Symbolic Selves - The Phenomenological Sociology Tradition · 1.06: Social Order - Structural and Structurational Sociology
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Defend Dissent: Digital Suppression and Cryptographic Defense of Social Movements
Glencora Borradaile · Oregon State University
Defend Dissent is an introduction to cryptography paired with the social impacts of surveillance and the protective potential of encryption, with a focus on US social movements. Each chapter ends with a story that brings social context to the material—from surveillance used against contemporary US protests to the African National Congress’s use of partially manual encryption in fighting apartheid in South Africa in the 80s.
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Principles of Sociological Inquiry – Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
Anonymous · LibreTexts
In the contents: 1.02: Science Social Science and Sociology · 15.03: Public Sociology
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Beyond Race: Cultural Influences on Social Life
Vera Kennedy · West Hills College Lemoore
In the contents: Cultural Sociology
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International Relations Theory
McGlinchey, Walters and Scheinpflug · E-International Relations
This book is designed as a foundational entry point to International Relations theory – structured to condense the most important information into the smallest space and present that information in an accessible manner. Each chapter sets out the basics of a theory whilst also applying it to a real-world event or issue, creating a lively, readable and relevant guide that will help students to see not only what theories are – but why they matter.
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Changing Society
Aimee Samara Krouskop, Ben Cushing, Kimberly Puttman, and Avery Temple · Open Oregon
In the contents: 1.02: The Art of Sociology
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Research Methods for the Social Sciences
William Pelz · Herkimer College
This text will introduce you to the fascinating and important study of the methods of inquiry in the Social Sciences. You will learn both the logic behind – and the procedures for – a wide variety of research methods, including correlational and experimental designs. If you are the curious type, and if you like to think rationally, I believe you will enjoy this course.