This is an introductory text to sociology which presents sociology as a way of understanding the world, not just individual societies. With a comparative focus, it de-emphasizes US society in favour of global sociology. Sociological theory is adopted throughout the text within discussions of specific topics, rather than following the traditional organization of relegating the topic to a separate chapter. Global-orientation and theory-application are highlighted in every chapter. The book also includes the work of Latin American, African, Asian, European, American and Canadian sociologists.