Sociology and Modern Social Problems

Sociology and Modern Social Problems

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Title: Sociology and Modern Social Problems
Author: Charles A. Ellwood
Release Date: September, 2004 [EBook #6568] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on December 28, 2002]
Edition: 10
Language: English
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SOCIOLOGY AND MODERN SOCIAL PROBLEMS
BY
CHARLES A. ELLWOOD, PH. D.
Professor of Sociology, University of Missouri

PREFACE
This book is intended as an elementary text in sociology as applied to modern social problems, for use in institutions where but a short time can be given to the subject, in courses in sociology where it is desired to combine it with a study of current social problems on the one hand, and to correlate it with a course in economics on the other. The book is also especially suited for use in University Extension Courses and in Teachers' Reading Circles.
This book aims to teach the simpler principles of sociology concretely and inductively. In
Chapters
I to VIII the elementary principles of sociology are stated and illustrated, chiefly through the study of the origin, development, structure, and functions of the family considered as a typical human institution; while in
Chapters
IX to XV certain special problems are considered in the light of these general principles.
Inasmuch as the book aims to illustrate the working of certain factors in social organization and evolution by the study of concrete problems, interpretation has been emphasized rather than the social facts themselves. However, the book is not intended to be a contribution to sociological theory, and no attempt is made to give a systematic presentation of theory. Rather, the student's attention is called to certain obvious and elementary forces in the social life, and he is left to work out his own system of social theory.
To guide the student in further reading, a brief list of select references in English has been appended to each chapter. Methodological discussions and much statistical and historical material have been omitted in order to make the text as simple as possible. These can be found in the references, or the teacher can supply them at his discretion.
The many authorities to whom I am indebted for both facts and interpretations of facts cannot be mentioned individually, except that I wish to express my special indebtedness to my former teachers, Professor Willcox of Cornell and Professors Small and Henderson of the University of Chicago, to whom I am under obligation either directly or indirectly for much of the substance of this book. The list of references will also indicate in the main the sources of whatever is not my own.
CHARLES A. ELLWOOD.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
: THE STUDY OF SOCIETY

CHAPTER II
: THE BEARING OF THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION UPON SOCIAL PROBLEMS

CHAPTER III
: THE FUNCTION OF THE FAMILY IN SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

CHAPTER IV
: THE ORIGIN OF THE FAMILY

CHAPTER V
: THE FORMS OF THE FAMILY

CHAPTER VI
: THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE FAMILY

CHAPTER VII
: THE PROBLEM OF THE MODERN FAMILY

CHAPTER VIII
: THE GROWTH OF POPULATION

CHAPTER IX
: THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM

CHAPTER X
: THE NEGRO PROBLEM

CHAPTER XI
: THE PROBLEM OF THE CITY

CHAPTER XII
: POVERTY AND PAUPERISM

CHAPTER XIII
: CRIME

CHAPTER XIV
: SOCIALISM IN THE LIGHT OF SOCIOLOGY

CHAPTER XV
: EDUCATION AND SOCIAL PROGRESS
INDEX

SOCIOLOGY AND MODERN SOCIAL PROBLEMS

CHAPTER I
THE STUDY OF SOCIETY
What is Society?--Perhaps the great question which sociology seeks to answer is this question which we have put at the beginning. Just as biology seeks to answer the question "What is life?"; zo?logy, "What is an animal?"; botany, "What is a plant?"; so sociology seeks to answer the question "What is society?" or perhaps better, "What is association?" Just as biology, zo?logy, and botany cannot answer their questions until those sciences have reached their full and complete development, so also sociology cannot answer the question "What is society?" until it reaches its final development. Nevertheless, some conception or definition of society is necessary for the beginner, for in the scientific discussion of