Peer Review

Introduction to Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World

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Reviewed:: Oct 4, 2025 by Sociology

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Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: The book includes the most recent data in the following categories: crime and victimization, income and poverty, life expectancy and aging, employment, marriage and divorce, education, medical care and health disparities, and fertility and population change.
Type of Material:: Open (Access) Textbook
Recommended Uses:: Introduction to Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World is best suited as a primary textbook for introductory sociology courses at the college level. Because of its comprehensive coverage of foundational concepts, classical and contemporary theories, and key social institutions, it can serve as a complete resource for semester-long courses in sociology, social problems, or related disciplines in the behavioral and social sciences.
Technical Requirements:: Read online with any browser or download as PDF file (without external links to embedded videos or outside sources).
Identify Major Learning Goals:: The primary learning goals of Introduction to Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World are to help students develop an understanding of the sociological perspective and apply the sociological imagination to connect personal experiences with broader social structures. Students will explore culture, socialization, and the role of groups and organizations in shaping identity and behavior. They will examine major social institutions such as family, education, religion, politics, the economy, and health, while also analyzing how systems of inequality related to class, race, gender, and age influence opportunities and outcomes. The text encourages students to evaluate theories of deviance, crime, and social control, and to consider the dynamics of social change, including globalization, urbanization, and social movements. Through the study of classical and contemporary theories as well as research methods, students will gain tools to interpret social behavior and assess evidence. Ultimately, the text emphasizes critical thinking, civic engagement, and the application of sociological knowledge to identify social problems, propose solutions, and contribute to meaningful social change.
Target Student Population:: College General Ed, College Lower Division
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: None

Content Quality

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Strengths:

This book is very comprehensive although dated. Not only does it include chapters that are found within traditional standard Introduction to Sociology textbooks (e.g., physical "in hand" books from other publishers that students must spend money on to buy), this book also includes a chapter on global stratification. While it is quite lengthy, at over 700 pages, the electronic formats make it more feasible for readers or campuses focused on Open Access Resources. My only concern is that it is lacking an index and glossary although key terms are highlighted in blue (although not always defined in the chapter). Speaking from personal experience, those elements are very useful to students. But, with the electronic formats (e.g., Adobe), students could use the "find" function instead of an index or glossary although this may be more time consuming. As with other textbooks, there is an end-of-chapter summary wrap up.

Concerns:

Current events and examples end around 2011 and would be enhanced by updating the material with examples from 2011-2025.

I would add the numbered chapter subsections from the table of contents to the beginning of each chapter and add a glossary at the end of each chapter and a comprehensive glossary at the end of the text. Overall it is a good text, may be a bit lengthy, but has excellent coverage and is easy to read.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:

The textbook clearly identifies learning objectives in each section and gives examples to highlight relationships between concepts or theories. It would be easy to use as an introductory sociology text or as supplementary material to other introductory courses like nursing, education, or social work. Each chapter includes review or reflection questions that would be easy to use for class discussion.

This book is much longer than other open source and even non-OER textbooks. Its length alone allows for comprehensive coverage of standard topics discussed in an introduction to sociology course with a few notable exceptions.

Concerns:

Current events and examples end around 2011 and would be enhanced by updating the material with examples from 2011-2025.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

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Strengths:

Visually appealing images and uses a smooth layout that is easy to use. The content provide hover links over key terms to provide easy access to definitions.

In addition to its strong academic content, the text is easy to use and highly accessible. The online platform requires no complicated registration or special technology, making navigation straightforward for both instructors and students. Clear instructions accompany each section, and the content is presented in a way that is both engaging and visually appealing, with a clean layout that avoids clutter. The text also incorporates interactive elements that encourage active learning and reflection, while maintaining a high standard of design quality. For students who may need additional support, the platform provides helpful features and links that guide them through the material and enhance the overall learning experience.

Concerns:

No multimedia or video links or external source links. Students would benefit from additional video or media content to enhance learning.

Other Issues and Comments:: I did not find any significant issues with accuracy beyond topics that are either outdated or missing. The content and information provided seems to be of high quality and accuracy, albeit quite dated when it comes to data and examples. Lack of evidence of any peer-review as well as lack of attribution to a specific author is concerning.
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