Sociology: Think Outside the Book

Robert Brym, Mellisa Holtzman

What makes sociology so exciting? And how can it be captured to engage students? Sociology: Think Outside the Book bridges the gap between foundational knowledge-building and the actual practice of sociology for introductory students. At its core, this digital text invites students to engage their imagination by highlighting the debates and unanswered questions in the field, and the theories with contradictory views of the same social reality. Through interactive assessments designed to foster critical analysis, students grapple with these questions, using debate, data collection, and theory testing to form a deeper understanding. Students are invited to ‘do’ sociology, and appreciate how the methods and theories can inspire more meaningful and impactful social action outside of the book.

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83%

of students say Top Hat helped them understand the course better.

Source: Top Hat Student Survey Spring 2023; n = 4,146

Table of Contents for Sociology: Think Outside the Book

  • Introduction
  • Chapter 1: Introducing Sociology
  • Chapter 2: Research Methods
  • Chapter 3: Culture
  • Chapter 4: Gender and Sexualities
  • Chapter 5: Mass and Social Media
  • Chapter 6: Social Stratification
  • Chapter 7: Race and Ethnicity
  • Chapter 8: Families
  • Chapter 9: Education
  • Chapter 10: Religion
  • Chapter 11: Deviance and Crime
  • Chapter 12: Health and Aging
  • Chapter 13: Social Change: The Environment and Social Movements

Key features

  • Structured theory sections bring theory to life and show how they are debated and tested. A clear structure in each chapter allows students to understand and anticipate how different theories are applied across different topics
  • Think Outside the Book activities model how to assess information and come to a conclusion, which can inform how they approach academic assignments and their personal decisions
  • Instructor Manual includes additional readings, suggested activities, and more to help instructors get the most out of Top Hat and engage students inside and outside of the classroom