52 Sociological and Anthropological Studies
Anthropology (ANT)
The Art of Being Human: A Textbook for Cultural Anthropology∗
Michael Wesch (Kansas State University)
2018
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Anthropology is the study of all humans in all times in all places. But it is so much more than that. “Anthropology requires strength, valor, and courage,” Nancy Scheper-Hughes noted. “Pierre Bourdieu called anthropology a combat sport, an extreme sport as well as a tough and rigorous discipline. … It teaches students not to be afraid of getting one’s hands dirty, to get down in the dirt, and to commit yourself, body and mind. Susan Sontag called anthropology a “heroic” profession.” What is the payoff for this heroic journey? You will find ideas that can carry you across rivers of doubt and over mountains of fear to find the light and life of places forgotten. Real anthropology cannot be contained in a book. You have to go out and feel the world’s jagged edges, wipe its dust from your brow, and at times, leave your blood in its soil. In this unique book, Dr. Michael Wesch shares many of his own adventures of being an anthropologist and what the science of human beings can tell us about the art of being human.
Formats: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, and iBooks
Includes: Faculty guide under Instructor Resources
Reviews: Open Textbook Library
Suggested for:
ANT 1101 Social and Cultural Anthropology
Cultural Anthropology∗
Tracy Evans (Santa Ana College) (Lumen Learning)
Last updated: November 2020
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Based on the Lumen Learning course of the same title, Cultural Anthropology offers an introduction to the study of human cultures, their beliefs, practices, values, ideas, technologies, economies and other domains of social and cognitive organization through first-hand experience or participant observation within living populations of humans.
Formats: Online and PDF
Includes: Key terms and concepts
Suggested for:
ANT 1101 Social and Cultural Anthropology [Sections 1-4, 7-8, and 11-12]
Introduction to Anthropology∗
Jennifer Hasty (University of Pennsylvania), David G. Lewis (Oregon State University), and Marjorie M. Snipes (University of West Georgia)
2022
Licence: CC BY 4.0
Designed to meet the scope and sequence of your course, OpenStax Introduction to Anthropology is a four-field text integrating diverse voices, engaging field activities, and meaningful themes like Indigenous experiences and social inequality to engage students and enrich learning. The text showcases the historical context of the discipline, with a strong focus on anthropology as a living and evolving field. There is significant discussion of recent efforts to make the field more diverse—in its practitioners, in the questions it asks, and in the applications of anthropological research to address contemporary challenges. In addressing social inequality, the text drives readers to consider the rise and impact of social inequalities based on forms of identity and difference (such as gender, ethnicity, race, and class) as well as oppression and discrimination. The contributors to and dangers of socioeconomic inequality are fully addressed, and the role of inequality in social dysfunction, disruption, and change is noted.
Formats: Online and PDF
Suggested for:
ANT 1101 Social and Cultural Anthropology
Perspectives: An Open Invitation to Cultural Anthropology, Second Edition∗ 
Edited by Nina Brown (Community College of Baltimore Country), Thomas McIlwraith (University of Guelph), and Laura Tubelle de González (San Diego Miramar College) (American Anthropological Association)
2020
Licence: CC BY-NC 4.0
This peer-reviewed textbook is a collection of chapters on the essential topics in cultural anthropology. Different from other introductory textbooks, this book is an edited volume with each chapter written by a different author. Each author has written from their experiences working as an anthropologist and that personal touch makes for an accessible introduction to cultural anthropology.
Formats: Pressbooks webbook, PDF, and EPUB
Includes: Learning objectives, discussion questions, and glossary
Reviews: Open Textbook Library (First Edition) – BCcampus (Second Edition)
Suggested for:
ANT 1101 Social and Cultural Anthropology [Sections 1-3, 7-8, 11, and 13-14]
Pop Culture in the US – Course Playlist∗
Lance Eaton (North Shore Community College)
Licence: CC BY 3.0
Videos for Popular Culture in the US course, which examines popular culture in its many forms and media. Students will learn to assess, explain, and analyze products of popular culture by connecting them with overall cultural values, norms, and ideologies. Issues related to popular culture such as consumerism, mass media, technology, and viewer participation will be explored. Students will learn to become better communicators, and interpreters of cultural products (IDS102D-OL Course description)
Format: Video
Includes: Accompanying materials
Suggested for:
ANT 2130 Anthropology of Popular Culture
Sociology (SOC)
Beyond Race: Cultural Influences on Human Social Life∗
Vera Kennedy (West Hills College Lemoore)
2018
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
This sociology text has been positively-reviewed. It covers introductory concepts in cultural sociology, from culture and meaning to cultural identity. The book is supported by discussion of relevant theory and research in cultural sociology. Beyond Race: Cultural Influences on Human Social Life has stressed learner-centered teaching with the instructor taking on the role of a facilitator of learning. As such, it is expected the instructor will serve as the mediator between the content of this book and learners’ understanding of material on multiple and higher levels. This book does not offer a set of rules in teaching cultural sociology, but rather suggests content and applications to consider and modify as needed by the ever-changing dynamics of instructors and learners.
Format: PDF
Includes: Instructor resources, student resources, summaries, and real-world applications
Reviews: Open Textbook Library
Suggested for:
SOC 1106 Exploring Diversity in Canada [Module 4: Cultural Identity]
Forced Migration in Canada
Christina Clark-Kazak (University of Ottawa)
2024
Licence: CC BY-NC 4.0
Forced Migration in Canada is intended to be a comprehensive repository of teaching and learning resources related to displacement to, and in, Canada, from colonization and slavery, to trafficking, statelessness and refugee protection and resettlement. Each section offers a compilation of multimedia resources to introduce students, researchers and the general public to the key issues.
Format: Pressbooks webbook
Suggested for:
SOC 4127 Contemporary Analysis of Migration
Foundations in Sociology I: Social Construction of Everyday Life∗
Susan Robertson (University of Saskatchewan)
2020
Licence: CC BY 4.0
One part of a two-part introduction to the discipline of sociology, the study of society. It examines how we come to understand and experience ourselves and the world around us and how we create culture. Students will be introduced to the study of culture, socialization, social interaction, identity formation and self-fashioning, the social construction of class, gender and race, age, deviance, and other social phenomena.Based on Introduction to Sociology – 2nd Canadian Edition.
Formats: Pressbooks webbook, EPUB, and PDF
Includes: Learning objectives, key terms, and concepts
Suggested for:
SOC 1101 Principles of Sociology [Sections 1-4]
SOC 1106 Exploring Diversity in Canada [Module 9 – Social Identities: Race, Ethnicity and Nationality and Module 13 – Social Stratification and Social Inequality]
Foundations in Sociology II: Society Structure Process∗
Susan Robertson (University of Saskatchewan)
2020
Licence: CC BY 4.0
One part of a two-part introduction to the discipline of sociology, the study of society. It examines theories and methods for studying changes to the nature and organization of society from pre-modern, to modern and post-modern. Students will be introduced to core sociological concepts used to understand social inequality, social order, social change, and globalization. Based on Introduction to Sociology – 2nd Canadian Edition.
Formats: Pressbooks webbook, EPUB, and PDF
Includes: Learning objectives, key terms, and concepts
Suggested for:
SOC 1101 Principles of Sociology [Sections 1-4]
SOC 1106 Exploring Diversity in Canada [Module 7 – Social Stratification and Social Inequality and Module 8 – Global Stratification and Global Inequality]
Introduction to Sociology – 2nd Canadian Edition∗
William Little (Thompson Rivers University)
2016
Licence: CC BY 4.0
Introduction to Sociology adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical introductory sociology course. In addition to comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories, we have incorporated section reviews with engaging questions, discussions that help students apply the sociological imagination, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. Although this text can be modified and reorganized to suit your needs, the standard version is organized so that topics are introduced conceptually, with relevant everyday experiences.
Formats: Pressbooks webbook, PDF, EPUB, MOBI, and more
Includes: Learning objectives, “Making Connections” feature, key terms, and section quizzes
Reviews: eCampusOntario Open Library – Open Textbook Library – BCcampus
Suggested for:
SOC 1101 Principles of Sociology
Marriage, Intimate Relationships, and Families∗
Edited by Bill Pelz (Herkimer College)
Licence: CC BY 4.0
This introductory level course provides an overview of core concepts and theories which contribute to our understanding of intimate relationships and families. The text provides a structure and sequence of issues for the course, but the students will contribute much of the content. A heutagogical instructional design allows students in the course to provide much of the substantive content and teaching presence. Student-led class discussions provide the opportunity for an engaging and personally relevant exploration of the material.
Formats: Pressbook webbook, EPUB, PDF, and more
Suggested for:
SOC 2103 Socio-anthropology of the Family
Principles of Sociological Inquiry: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods∗
Amy Blackstone (University of Maine)
2014
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Principles of Sociological Inquiry: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods emphasizes the relevance of research methods for the everyday lives of its readers, undergraduate students. Each chapter describes how research methodology is useful for students in the multiple roles they fill: (1) as consumers of popular and public information, (2) as citizens in a society where findings from social research shape laws, policies, and public life, and (3) as current and future employees. Connections to these roles are made throughout and directly within the main text of the book. Principles of Sociological Inquiry: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods also provides balanced coverage of qualitative and quantitative approaches by integrating a variety of examples from recent and classic sociological research. The text challenges students to debate and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches.
Formats: Online and PDF
Reviews: BCcampus – eCampusOntario Open Library
Suggested for:
SOC 1301 Building Sociological Reasoning
SOC 2315 Introduction to Qualitative Methodology
SOC 2316 Survey Design and Quantitative Data Acquisition
Research Methods for the Social Sciences: An Introduction∗
Valerie Sheppard (Justice Institute of British Columbia)
2020
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
This textbook provides a broad overview of research methods utilized in sociology. It will be of particular value for students who are new to research methods.
Formats: Pressbooks webbook, EPUB, PDF, and MOBI
Suggested for:
SOC 1301 Building Sociological Reasoning
SOC 2315 Introduction to Qualitative Methodology
SOC 2316 Survey Design and Quantitative Data Acquisition
Social Data Analysis
Mikaila Mariel L. Arthur and Roger Clark (Rhode Island College)
2021
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
This book is divided into four parts: 1) a conceptual section on conducting quantitative data analysis, 2) a conceptual section on conducting qualitative data analysis, 3) a practical section on conducting quantitative data analysis using SPSS, and 4) a practical section on conducting qualitative data analysis using Dedoose.
Formats: Pressbooks webbook, EPUB, and PDF
Includes: glossary
Suggested for:
SOC 2315 Introduction to Qualitative Methodology
SOC 4316 Quantitative Research Project
Sociology of the Family (Instructor Course Pack)
Silvia K. Bartolic (University of British Columbia)
2023
Licence: CC BY 4.0
This course is an introduction to a sociological examination of contemporary family forms and relations in North American society. Topics include: theories and methods for understanding families; formation of intimate relationships; mate selection processes; marriage and parenting; families over the life course; gender issues and transitions in families.
This course is comprised of 12 units designed to be delivered over a 13-week semester. The course layout is aligned with the textbook: Families Across the Life Course (2nd Ed.) by Silvia K. Bartolic, Todd F. Martin, and James M. White. Course materials include introductory resources and guidelines for the first week followed by an instructor’s manual, testbank, and answer key for each of the remaining 12 weeks.
Formats: Online and Word
Suggested for:
SOC 2103 Socio-anthropology of the Family
Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World∗
Steven Barkan (University of Maine) (Saylor Foundation)
2014
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
The book includes the most recent data in the following categories, so your students have access to the latest sociological trends: crime and victimization, income and poverty, life expectancy and aging, employment, marriage and divorce, education, medical care and health disparities, and fertility and population change.
Formats: Pressbooks webbook, PDF, EPUB, MOBI and more
Includes: Learning objectives, key takeaways, review questions, and chapter summaries
Reviews: eCampusOntario Open Library – Open Textbook Library
Suggested for:
SOC 1101 Principles of Sociology
