A classic brief text, Sociology: The Core presents all three perspectives and basic sociological concepts and principles in 12 chapters. The fourth edition is one of the most up-to-date texts available. It includes many fresh examples and numerous current reference citations. Vander Zanden's clear and focussed writing style, combined with his thoughtful and clever pedagogical devices (Doing Sociology boxes and cartoons) provide students with the tools to develop a sociological imagination. The Core continues to be one of the best text book values available to students taking introductory sociology.
