Includes bibliographical references and index.

Taking a new look at a familiar world -- Seeing and thinking sociologically -- Building reality : the social construction of knowledge -- Building order : culture and history -- Building identity : socialization -- Supporting identity : the presentation of self -- Building social relationships : intimacy and family -- Constructing difference : social deviance -- The structure of society : organizations and social institutions -- The architecture of stratification: social class inequality -- The architecture of inequality : race and ethnicity -- The architecture of inequality : sex and gender -- Global dynamics and population demographic trends -- The architects of change : reconstructing society.