A sociological understanding of social problems. Social Problems: A Down to Earth Approach, 11/e is a theoretically balanced text that provides the latest research and a consistent structure to help students analyze critical social problems facing the United States. The author presents both sides of an argument with a neutral voice and uses a "down-to-earth" writing style. By using this text, not only do students gain a sociological understanding of social problems, but also they are able to explore and evaluate their own opinions about specific social problems. They will gain a greater awareness of the social forces that shape their orientations to social problems and their perspectives on social life. The ideas in this book penetrate students' thinking and help give shape to their views of the world. MySocLab for Social Problems features an engaging student experience including an interactive eText, the New Core Concepts Video Series, the New Social Explorer. Teaching & Learning Experience *Personalize Learning - MySocLab is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program. It helps students prepare for class and instructor gauge individual and class performance. *Improve Critical Thinking - Thinking Critically About the Chapter - At the end of each chapter are several questions designed to help students evaluate what they have read. These questions also lend themselves well for stimulating class discussions. *Engage Students -Opening Vignette - Intended to arouse student interest in the social problem and to stimulate the desire to read more, this brief opening story presents essential elements of the social problem. *Explore Research -Spotlight on Research boxes - Major researchers in social problems share an insider's perspective of how they became interested in a social problem and how they did their research *Explore Theory - The three basic theories - Symbolic interaction theory, functional theory, and conflict theory- are introduced early in the text; giving students the opportunity t immediately grasp the differences of these theories. *Support Instructors - MySocLab, Instructor's eText, Instructor's Manual, Test Item File, Electronic "MyTest" Test Bank, PowerPoint Presentation Slides, and Pearson Custom course material are available.