Download or read book Second Thoughts written by Janet M. Ruane and published by SAGE Publications. This book was released on 2019-06-06 with total page 436 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Introducing students to core sociological concepts by debunking popular misconceptions Is it true that "numbers don′t lie?" Is America "the land of equal opportunity?" Is marriage a "dying institution?" Oft-repeated adages like these shape our beliefs about the society we live in. Each essay in Second Thoughts reviews a conventional wisdom familiar to both instructors and students. The authors introduce relevant sociological concepts and theories in order to explain, qualify, and sometimes debunk that conventional wisdom. This unique text encourages students to step back and sharpen their analytic focus. 23 engaging essays reveal the complexity of social reality and demonstrate the role of sociology in everyday life.