Overview: The ninth edition of Richard T. Schaefer's Sociology: A Brief Introduction provides students with a comprehensive, up-to-date presentation of sociology. Students learn to think critically about society and their own lives from a wide range of classical and contemporary perspectives. Combining balanced coverage of theory with current research findings, examples that students can relate to, and abundant learning aids and exercises, the new edition continues to encourage the development of sociological imagination. New to the edition is the inclusion of an adaptive diagnostic tool and interactivities to help students master key concepts.