Woodman, D and Threadgold, S. 2021. This is Sociology: A Short Introduction. Sage: London. Paperback: ISBN: 9781529768831. Hardcover: ISBN: 9781529768824.
This is Sociology: A Short Introduction is an engaging, concise introduction to the key concepts used for studying social life. It covers a diverse range of theorists from the rich history of sociology and shows how thinking sociologically can help us understand our lives, the groups we are part of, and the rapid social changes and inequalities that shape contemporary societies.

Arvanitakis, J. ed,. (2015). Sociologic: Analysing Everyday Life and Culture. Australia and New Zealand: Oxford University Press. 

Sociologic is a contemporary introduction to sociology for the modern student. Readers will learn about sociological concepts through examination of a variety of theories and theorists, all the while relating and applying this knowledge to their own experiences of everyday life. Students will relish exploring the world of society and culture through personal narrative, humour, and examples.

What is the connection between our personal troubles and underlying public issues?

John Germov and Marilyn Poole (Eds.) (2018) Public Sociology: An introduction to Australian society. Allen & Unwin. 4th edition

Germov, J., & Poole, M., eds. (2015). Public Sociology: An introduction to Australian society. 3rd ed. Allen & Unwin.
Public Sociology focuses on the utility and relevance of a sociological perspective to every aspect of social life. The aim is to encourage in students the ability to critically reflect upon the forces – both local and global – shaping their own lives and the communities in which they live.

Holmes, D., Hughes, K., Julian, R. (2014). Australian Sociology: A Changing Society. 4th ed. Pearsons.

Australian Sociology fourth edition provides a concise and current introduction to the field of Sociology, through an analysis of Australian society. In doing so, it draws on a diverse range of perspectives as well as a myriad of topics that go to issues at the core of Australian social life. Our ever-changing society presents continuing challenges to sociological analysis. This new edition of Australian Sociology sets out to document these many changes, while retaining an organised analysis required of an introductory overview of Australian society.

Savy, P., Petray, T., & others. (2014).  (3rd ed.) – Sociology in Today’s World. 3rd ed. Cengage Learning.

Beilharz, P., Hogan, T. eds., (2012). Sociology: Antipodean Perspectives. 2nd ed. Australia and New Zealand: Oxford University Press. 

Sociology: Antipodean Perspectives second edition introduces students to the study of society from an interdisciplinary perspective. Defining sociology as the data and patterns of everyday life, the book is structured around three sections: place, time and division. The many ways that the lives of Australians intersect with broader societal notions of place and geography, history and culture, institutions and social divisions are covered expertly and creatively by each of the contributors to this textbook.

Willis, E. (2011). The Sociological Quest. 5th ed. Allen & Unwin

What is sociology? How do you ‘do’ sociology? Starting sociology can be daunting. This bestselling short introduction takes the reader on a quest towards a sociological understanding of the world we live in. Using contemporary examples, The Sociological Questasks what is distinctive about the way sociologists view society. Evan Willis shows that they are concerned with the relationship between the individual and society, and that a sociological analysis involves an approach which is historical, cultural, structural and critical.

Marshall, H., Douglas, K., & McDonnell, D. (2006). Deviance And Social Control: Who Rules? Australia and New Zealand: Oxford University Press. 

Deviance and Social Control: Who Rules? examines the bizarre and the everyday behaviours that some sociologists have labelled ‘deviance’. It outlines the history of sociological thought on deviance and engages with the debate about the ‘death of deviance’. The authors argue it is more useful to talk about rules and rule-breakers than deviance, and relate these ideas to our professional lives, where the idea of deviance continues to be important.

White, R., & Habibis, D.  (2004) Crime And Society. Australia and New Zealand: Oxford University Press. 

Crime and Society is a dedicated analysis of the major forms of crime which affect society today. This reader-friendly text combines descriptive and analytical material on crime, enabling students to use it as a guide to the key issues in the field and as a first point of reference for further study. Following a logical pattern, each chapter begins with an introduction to the topic, which then leads into an examination of the trends. An explanation of the key issues then follows and the chapter concludes with an examination of contemporary research findings. Crime and Society covers all major new topics, including those not generally seen in texts in this area, for example, regulation of practice and whistle blowing.

Raelene Wilding (2017). Families, Intimacy and Globalization: Floating Ties, Palgrave.

This book examines the traditional ways of conceptualising family and explores how increased mobility, migration and changes in technology and culture caring from afar or transnational partnerships. It takes a cutting edge look at a longstanding topic of teaching.

Dempsey, D. & Lindsay, J. (2014) Families, Relationships and Intimate Life. 2nd ed. Australia and New Zealand: Oxford University Press. 

Families, Relationships and Intimate Life Second Edition is a thorough exploration of the controversies, contradictions and broad patterns that characterise contemporary relationships and families. Beginning with the conceptual scaffolding of families in their historical and cultural context this text includes the key cultural differences of ethnicity, class and sexuality.

Connell, R., & Pearse, R., (2014). Gender: In World Perspective, 3rd Edition. Polity.

How can we understand gender in the contemporary world? What psychological differences now exist between women and men? How are masculinities and femininities made? And what is the relationship between gender issues and globalizing concerns such as environmental change and economic restructuring?

Raewyn Connell, one of the world’s leading scholars in the field, is here joined by Rebecca Pearse as they answer these questions and more. Their book provides a readable introduction to modern gender studies, covering empirical research from all parts of the world in addition to theory and politics. As well as introducing the field, Gender provides a powerful contemporary framework for gender analysis with a strong and distinctive global awareness. Highlighting the multi-dimensional character of gender relations, the authors show how to link personal life with large-scale organizational structures and how gender politics changes its form in changing situations.

The third edition of this influential and accessible book includes a whole new chapter on ecofeminism, environmental justice and sustainability. It also brings the review of research up to date throughout and explains new debates and emerging gender theories.

Gender is engaged scholarship that moves from personal experience to global problems and offers a unique perspective on gender issues today.