This volume presents current controversial issues surrounding current controversial issues in the field of sociology in a debate-style format designed to stimulate student interest and develop critical thinking skills. Sociology uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop and refine a body of knowledge about human social activity. For some sociologists, the goal is to apply such knowledge to the pursuit of social welfare, while for others it is to seek an understanding of how individuals are influenced by the social world we live in. This topic is framed with a general summary and introduction, and a postscript or challenge questions. This work features an annotated listing of selected World Wide Web sites and an online instructor's resource guide with testing material available.