Instructors
Sociology’s Most Innovative and Affordable Textbook
Textbook
Introduction to Sociology
By Stephanie Medley-Rath — written by an award-winning educator with 20+ years of teaching experience, built around the Sociological Literacy Framework.
Three-level approach
Connects micro, meso, and macro perspectives — from personal experience to global forces.
Paired-topic chapters
Each chapter reveals hidden links — methods & family, deviance & crime, social change & climate.
Contemporary issues
Covers social media, immigration, gun violence, racial socialization, and economic inequality.
Built for accessibility
Written at an 11th-grade level with review questions, key terms, quizzes, and career spotlights.
Teaching resources
Framework & pedagogy
Two complementary resources to help you design and strengthen your introduction to sociology course.
The Sociological Literacy Framework
Developed by Ferguson & Carbonaro (2016) and endorsed by the American Sociological Association, this framework defines what students should know and be able to do. It centers on five core concepts — the sociological eye, social structure, socialization, stratification, and social change — paired with six key skills such as applying theory, evaluating evidence, and using sociology to inform public policy.
Teaching Introduction to Sociology — Edited volume
A peer-authored guide for new and experienced instructors, covering how to structure the course around the SLF, serve diverse student populations, and navigate challenges in the U.S. and abroad.
Part 1
The Sociological Literacy Framework
Adapting your course to the ASA-endorsed framework
Part 2
Roles of the course
Serving pre-med, gen-ed, and other constituencies
Part 3
Challenges in the U.S. & abroad
Navigating diverse political and cultural contexts
Adopt a textbook your students will actually be able to afford.
The full textbook is free on the website. Students who want a better study experience can purchase a digital or print copy on their own — no course fees, no bundles, no access codes to manage.
Print on demand — ships directly to students. Not available in stores.
Instructor Resources
- 10 PowerPoint slideshows that follow the textbook
- 100+ figures from the textbook that can be used in class, assignments, or exams
- A pdf copy of Chapter 1
- Text banks
- Sample course schedules of varying lengths and modalities
- Learning Outcomes for the book mapped onto the Sociological Literacy Framework
Give your students a resource
they’ll actually use.
Students come to you with big questions about careers, grad school, and whether sociology is the right fit. This hub gives them clear, credible answers — and gives you a ready-made resource to share in advising sessions, syllabi, or orientation materials.
Careers for sociology degrees
Show students the full landscape of where a sociology degree leads — before doubt sets in.
Majoring in sociology
An honest overview of the major — ideal for students weighing their options early on.
Graduate school options
Help ambitious students see the path forward — from MA programs to law school and beyond.
Choosing sociology as a major
A practical guide for students on the fence — so you spend less time starting from scratch.
Sociology for non-majors
Make the case to students in other disciplines that sociology belongs in their education too.
Marketable skills
Concrete, employer-ready language that helps students articulate what they’re learning.
A guide for parents
When a student’s family needs convincing, this resource does some of the work for you.
Seven resources. Built for students. Ready for you to share.
About the Author
Stephanie Medley-Rath, PhD is a sociology instructor with 20+ years of experience teaching and inspiring thousands of students. She has published in Teaching Sociology, co-edited The Teaching Sociology Playbook, edited Teaching Introduction to Sociology, and has won several awards for contributions to teaching and learning in sociology. With a deep expertise in teaching Introduction to Sociology, Dr. Medley-Rath is committed to advancing the quality of sociological education and empowering the next generation of students and instructors.
