Preface

This compilation aims to foster critical thinking and explore contemporary social issues. The book represents a synthesis of six open educational resources, carefully curated to provide a comprehensive understanding of crucial topics in today’s society including Critical Thinking Web, Social Problems: Continuity and Change, Urban Literacy: Learning to Read the City Around You, Public Policy: Origins, Practice, and Analysis, Human Behavior and the Social Environment II, and Understanding and Changing the Social World.

With a deliberate focus on critical thinking and an examination of pressing social issues, this compilation emphasizes the intricate intersections of race, gender, class, and ecology within contemporary contexts. Each module is supplemented with original content and updated statistical tables and figures, ensuring relevance and currency in today’s ever-evolving landscape.

Furthermore, the inclusion of learning objectives and practical applications in each module enhances the pedagogical value of this work, encouraging active engagement and critical reflection among readers.

In recognition of the unprecedented global events that have shaped our collective experience, a dedicated section on global pandemics has been incorporated, providing insights and perspectives relevant to current realities.

As you embark on this intellectual journey, we invite you to reflect, probe, question, and investigate the concepts and ideas presented within these pages, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities that define our world. May this compilation serve as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue, inquiry, and transformative learning experiences.