Committing Sociology: Critical Perspectives on our Social World 2021 Original pdf

The text’s overarching critical framework underscores sociology’s aims of addressing social inequalities and working toward social change, and it considers the role of values and ideologies in guiding research processes.  It aims to introduce theoretical and methodological tools for questioning inequalities and power structures, considering how sociology can give voice to vulnerable populations, and addressing shifts within the discipline from doing research on to doing research with populations and promoting empowerment through research.

Within its overall focus on critical perspectives and social change, Committing Sociology offers two additional perspectives that make it unique as an introductory resource.  First, it responds to the limited inclusion of Indigenous content in prior introductory-level sociology resources by including discussion of Indigenous issues from Canadian and international perspectives, implications of social issues for Indigenous communities, writing by Indigenous scholars, and an introduction to Indigenous methods, methodologies, and worldviews.  Second, it responds to the growing trend toward community-engaged research and learning approaches by including research examples, researcher profiles, and theoretical and methodological considerations of community-engaged research throughout.  Together, the two special foci respond to the growing demand for incorporation of Indigenous content and community-engaged learning within sociology classes, and they also demonstrate how a bold commitment to critical sociology is part of broader efforts at reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and social change at grassroots levels.