Public Sociology: An Introduction to Australian Society

by John Germov (Editor), Marilyn Poole (Editor)

The second edition of a widely used introduction to Australian

sociology, designed as a flexible learning tool. It takes an applied

approach, demonstrating the value of a sociological perspective on

contemporary Australian life.

• Fully revised and updated

• Includes two new chapters on religion and on terrorism

• First edition published in 2006 - became an instant success in a highly

competitive first year textbook market; one of the most widely used first

year university sociology textbooks in Australia

• Editors are well-known and respected sociology educators

• Student friendly approach, with case studies, guidelines on writing

sociology essays, activities

• Accompanied by an extensive support website

How can developing a sociological gaze help us understand the way we

live? Public Sociology shows that our lives are not solely determined by

personal choices, demonstrating how a sociological gaze allows us to see

the way our private troubles are connected to public issues.

Public Sociology highlights the utility and application of sociology in

professional and community life using real-world examples from Australia

and across the globe. The first edition of Public Sociology established itself

as a highly regarded and accessible student text. This second edition has

been thoroughly updated to maintain a fresh approach, and reflects the

ever-increasing importance of technology in our lives. The authors reveal

how the tools of sociological training and an empirically grounded

sociological perspective are essential to understanding and engaging with

contemporary Australian society.

Genres: Sociology, Nonfiction

538 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Lexie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sociology is actually SO interesting! Loved this, the University course was excellent and I got high marks haha! This book definitely contributed to that it was incredibly useful and the information it gave was straightforward and direct to the point, easy to understand. Recommend this if you want to see many aspects of the world in a whole different light or understand many intensely interesting concepts such as globalisation, ethnicity, indigenous perspectives, class, consumption, race, etc, at least all in Australia... Oh but some of those thugs are in general across the world too.

8/10.

[Wing · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lay reader (by trade, I am a medical doctor), I find this introductory undergraduate textbook highly enjoyable. As promised, it introduces sociological concepts—exploring how societal structures influence human behaviors and how our behaviors, in turn, sculpt society—and employs Australian examples to illustrate them. Emphasis is on discourse, debate, and theoretical framework. It's updated every few years (this being its fifth edition) and remains very contemporary. The historical backgrounds (i.e. so-called classical sociology canon) of the subject are also discussed, and their relevance and deficiencies are explained. Overall, it prioritizes breadth over depth, which is understandable, and provides ample food for thought to the engaged reader. The text also recommends numerous resources for further exploration. Its slight leftist bent does not diminish its comprehensiveness but does demand critical appraisal. But then, contestations of seemingly irresolvable contradictions are what define sociology, and indeed society itself.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

First two chapters are a great introduction to sociology, but as soon as it got into the third chapter of modern sociologists, that’s where the pit falls began and I had to skip that chapter. Moving along through the chapters to now eleven, much of the major information I knew. However, in saying that, much of the information though found through observations and data, some of the data seemed quite elitist and compartmentalising certain parts of society due to lifestyle choices.

This is a 3rd edition (2015) and does not look like it’s been update at all since the original or even 2nd edition was produced. A bit of a let down considering that this book is used as an introduction to social work at some universities, and while I am reading this for myself and not for university, on the most part, it’s actually quite a moderate read.

[Kerrie Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Society, Culture & Health (S5, 2017)

[Aust, 3rd ed, 2015]

Fabulous book, highly recommended. Ch 24 'A sociological toolkit' was of great assistance.

[Hannah Swinfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This provides a great introduction to sociological theories and theorists as well as the social aspects of everyday life.

[PRJ Greenwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrates its knotty subject more than adequately. This was a required textbook for university and I'll say it's nothing I would have read out of choice, but I'm glad I did as parts of it were eye-opening.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

doing sociology this semester, in case it wasn't obvious :P

[NuHunni]

gahhh?!?!? why did i choose sociology -_-

i literally have read ALMOST all of the 490pg THICK ASSS BORING ASS textbook!!!! now hope i do it gets paid off on my exam!!