David S. Hachen Jr. (Ph.D., University of Wisconsin - Madison) is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the
University of Notre Dame. He was a Lilly Teaching Fellow and Director of Graduate Studies at Notre Dame. He has
taught at the undergraduate level introductory seminars for first year students, research methods, and organizations,
and at the graduate level seminars on organizations, labor markets, social stratification and event history >
analysis. He is currently conducting research on multiple job holding in the > United States.
Affiliation: University of Notre Dame
David S. Hachen, Jr. has a home page at: http://www.nd.edu/~dhachen
E-mail David S. Hachen, Jr. at: [email protected]
Review
"Sociology in Action represents a creative, new approach to teaching sociology. Hachen introduces and analyzes
sociological concepts by relying on the case method, a pedagogical device that has been highly successful in other
fields but has received less attention in Sociology. This unique text is engaging and insightful, and promises
to be popular among students."
--Maureen T. Hallinan, William P. and Hazel B. White Professor of Sociology, University of Notre Dame, Past
President, American Sociological Association
Pine Forge Press Web Site, May, 2001
Summary
The book's objective is to help students develop a skill -- their ability to interpret and analyze situations
sociologically.
Development of student skills and their "sociological eyesight" is facilitated through practice using
decision cases, relatively short problem-centered narratives that promote critical thinking.
The book's structure promotes the progressive and incremental development of skills.
Each chapter in Part I begins with a case. The body of each chapter introduces sociological ideas and concepts
by using them to analyze the beginning case. Each chapter concludes with another case so that students can practice
the specific skills they have acquired in the chapter, using the chapter's "Sociological Eyesight Analysis
Guide." Part II contains additional cases, providing more opportunities for students to practice their skills
at interpreting situations sociologically, and solving problems.
Table of Contents
Part I: Doing Sociology
Chapter 1: Seeing Society
Decision Case: "Separate but Safer". A director of a social service agency that helps juvenile delinquents
challenges a local school board's policy of separate lunch rooms and recess areas for boys and girls.
Actors and Issues The Sociological "Eye"
Social Relationships
Groups
Networks
Organizations
Sociological Eye Analysis Guide
Decision Case: "Why Can't Things Stay as They Are?". The principal of an elementary school encounters
resistance from teachers to school reforms designed to actively involve students in learning and prepare
them to be creative decision makers.
Chapter 2: Using Theory
Decision Case: "The Towering Dilemma". A park superintendent has to decide how to resolve conflicts
between rock climbers, Native Americans and naturalists over the use of Devils Tower.
Review: Social Connections
Sociological Theory
Social Connections as Bonds
Social Connections as Integrators
Social Connections as Conflictive Tugs-of-War
Social Connections as Exchanges Among Rational Actors
Social Connections as Webs of Interaction
Sociological Eye Analysis Guide
Decision Case: "Changing a Hospital's Culture". The executive director of a large hospital implements
a controversial guest relations program as part of his plan to solve the hospital's financial problems.
Chapter 3: Decoding Culture
Decision Case: "Perfection or Bust". The founder and owner of a successful commercial art studio wonders
why his business did not turn out exactly the way he intended.
Review: Sociological Theories
Culture
Theories of Culture
Culture as Social Glue
Culture as an Umbrella
Culture as a Mask
Culture as a Current
Culture as a Tool Kit
Sociological Eye Analysis Guide
Decision Case: Linda Gorman. A public health nurse debates what to do after learning that the mother of her Laotian
patient has used a traditional cure that could be considered child abuse.
Chapter 4: Uncovering Inequalities and Power
Decision Case: "The MPA Program at Southeastern State University: The Price of Admission". The director
of a Masters of Public Administration program decision not to admit a mediocre student whose father is a wealthy
alumni is questioned by a higher-level university administrator.
Review: Social Connections and Interests
Power and Social Inequalities
Social Class
Race and Ethnicity
Sex and Gender
Case Application
Theories of Inequality
Sociological Eye Analysis Guide
Decision Case: "Robert Lopez". A teaching assistant for minority scholarship students confronts two students
who exhibit racist behaviors in class.
Chapter 5: Imagining Futures
Decision Case: "Where Have All the Salmon Gone?". A father tells his son that the family has to quit
commercial fishing because of declining salmon populations.
Review: Social Connections and Change
Constructing Scenarios
Demographic Forces
Technological Forces
Collective Actions and Social Movements
Sociological Eye Analysis Guide
Decision Case: "Deaf President Now!". Students at a liberal arts college for deaf students challenge
the board of trustees' decision to appoint a hearing woman as the university's next president.
Bibliography
Part II: Decision Cases
The Worth of a Sparrow. The chairperson of a plant pathology department wonders how he will resolve a conflict
with animal rights activists over the university's killing of birds in order to protect their experimental grain
fields.
Conflict at Riverside. A senior manager at an engineering company debates with his brother-in-law, a trade union
activist at the same company, a proposed major redesign of the Riverside plant.
Tossin' and Turnin'. A counselor at a day camp for special needs children contemplates what to do when one of her
campers indicates that there are problems at home.
Lucy Allman. A family nurse practitioner considers how to deal with a poor family whose daughter has an ear infection
and is anemic.
In the Eye of the Beholder. A city counsel member has to decide on how to vote on a new lawn ordinance after a
resident with a natural wildlife yard challenges the city's original ordinance.
Off to College. Four high school friends go off to college together and find themselves debating whether they should
go to a bar.
What's So Scary About the Truth?. A high school journalism teacher is forced to decide whether to allow publication
in a student magazine of an article reporting the results of a student survey on sexual activity among high school
students.
People Like You. A single-parent dad on welfare moves in with his sister and tries to find work. But financial
problems in his sister's family combined with changes in welfare policy create new problems for him.
Lisa's Hidden Identity. A first year college student who is lesbian does not know what to do after she goes on
a date and discovers that continuing the relationship could put her in jeopardy
