This book was written by MSW students as their final project for their Capstone class. Students were each assigned a chapter of the book to write to show that they had achieved competency as a Master’s level social worker. Chapters were assigned based on student interest and experience in certain areas of the field.

Introduction to Sociology 2e adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical, one-semester introductory sociology course. It offers comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories, which are supported by a wealth of engaging learning materials. The textbook presents detailed section reviews with rich questions, discussions that help students apply their knowledge, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. The second edition retains the book’s conceptual organization, aligning to most courses, and has been significantly updated to reflect the latest research and provide examples most relevant to today’s students. In order to help instructors transition to the revised version, the 2e changes are described within the preface.

Understand the difference between senior age groups (young-old, middle-old, and old-old)Describe the “graying of the United States” as the population experiences increased life expectanciesExamine aging as a global issue

What happens to our bodies as we grow older? How do our brains change as we age? In this section, we will discuss the cognitive, emotional, and physical changes that occur as we progress into adulthood and beyond, showing through experimental studies what changes occur as we age.