{"id":325,"date":"2013-12-11T20:48:44","date_gmt":"2013-12-11T20:48:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/introductiontosociology\/?post_type=front-matter&p=325"},"modified":"2014-10-16T22:17:31","modified_gmt":"2014-10-16T22:17:31","slug":"preface","status":"publish","type":"front-matter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/introductiontosociology\/front-matter\/preface\/","title":{"raw":"Preface","rendered":"Preface"},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n\r\nThis Preface is from OpenStax College, the creator of the original textbook.\r\n

1<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>About OpenStax College<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\nOpenStax College is a non-profit organization committed to improving student access to quality learning materials. Our free textbooks are developed and peer-reviewed by educators to ensure they are readable, accurate, and meet the scope and sequence requirements of modern college courses. Unlike traditional textbooks, OpenStax College resources live online and are owned by the community of educators using them. Through our partnerships with companies and foundations committed to reducing costs for students, OpenStax College is working to improve access to higher education for all. OpenStax College is an initiative of Rice University and is made possible through the generous support of several philanthropic foundations.\r\n
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2<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>About This Book<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n <\/span>Welcome to Introduction to Sociology<\/em><\/span>, an OpenStax College resource created with several goals in mind: accessibility, affordability, customization, and student engagement\u2014all while encouraging learners toward high levels of learning. Instructors and students alike will find that this textbook offers a strong foundation in sociology. It is available for free online and in low-cost print and e-book editions.\r\n\r\n <\/span>To broaden access and encourage community curation, Introduction to Sociology is \u201copen source\u201d licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license. Everyone is invited to submit examples, emerging research, and other feedback to enhance and strengthen the material and keep it current and relevant for today\u2019s students. You can make suggestions by contacting us at info@openstaxcollege.org. You can find the status of the project, as well as alternate versions, corrections, etc., on the StaxDash at http:\/\/openstaxcollege.org<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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3<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>To the Student<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n <\/span>This book is written for you and is based on the teaching and research experience of numerous sociologists. In today\u2019s global socially networked world, the topic of Sociology is more relevant than ever before. We hope that through this book, you will learn how simple, everyday human actions and interactions can change the world. In this book, you will find applications of Sociology concepts that are relevant, current, and balanced.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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4<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>To the Instructor<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n <\/span>This text is intended for a one-semester introductory course. Since current events influence our social perspectives and the field of Sociology in general, OpenStax College encourages instructors to keep this book fresh by sending in your up-to-date examples to info@openstaxcollege.org so that students and instructors around the country can relate and engage in fruitful discussions.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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5<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>General Approach<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n <\/span>Introduction to Sociology <\/em><\/span> adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical introductory sociology course. In addition to comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories, we have incorporated section reviews with engaging questions, discussions that help students apply the sociological imagination, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. Although this text can be modified and reorganized to suit your needs, the standard version is organized so that topics are introduced conceptually, with relevant, everyday experiences.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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6<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Features of OpenStax Introduction to Sociology<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n <\/span>The following briefly describes the special features of this text.\r\n
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Modularity<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n <\/span>This textbook is organized on Connexions (http:\/\/cnx.org<\/a>) as a collection of modules that can be rearranged and modified to suit the needs of a particular professor or class. That being said, modules often contain references to content in other modules, as most topics in sociology cannot be discussed in isolation.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Learning Objectives <\/span><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n <\/span>Every module begins with a set of clear and concise learning objectives. These objectives are designed to help the instructor decide what content to include or assign, and to guide the student with respect to what he or she can expect to learn. After completing the module and end-of-module exercises, students should be able to demonstrate mastery of the learning objectives.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Key Features<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n <\/span>The following features show students the dynamic nature of Sociology:\r\n
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