Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials, 13th Edition

Diana Kendall is a professor of sociology at Baylor University, where she has been recognized as an Outstanding Professor. She has taught a variety of courses, including Introduction to Sociology, Sociological Theory (undergraduate and graduate), Sociology of Medicine, Sociology of Law and Race, Class and Gender. Previously, she enjoyed many years of teaching sociology and serving as chair of the Social and Behavioral Science Division at Austin Community College. Dr. Kendall's areas of specialization and primary research interests are sociological theory and the sociology of medicine. In addition to "Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials," she is the author of "The Power of Good Deeds: Privileged Women and the Social Reproduction of the Upper Class" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2002), "Members Only: Elite Clubs and the Process of Exclusion" (Rowman & Littlefield, 2008) and "Framing Class: Media Representations of Wealth and Poverty in America," 2nd Edition (Rowman & Littlefield, 2012). Her most recent scholarly publication is "Class: Still Alive and Reproducing in the United States," a book chapter in "Privilege: A Reader," 4th Edition (2016, Westview Press). Dr. Kendall is actively involved in national and regional sociological associations, including the American Sociological Association, the Society for the Study of Social Problems and the Southwestern Sociological Association. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was invited to membership in Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Laura C. Atkins is a professor of sociology at Jacksonville University where she is also Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Atkins is an advocate for student leadership and community engagement, and she directed the university’s service-learning program for fifteen years. In her new role as the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan Academic Director, she leads academic oversight of first-year seminar courses, diversity, equity and inclusion courses and experiential learning programs, which include internships, study abroad, undergraduate research and service-learning. During her academic career, Dr. Atkins has taught a variety of courses, including Social Action Capstone, Sociology of Community, Sociology of Organizations and Leadership, Research Methods, Environmental Sociology and Introduction to Sociology. Dr. Atkins’ scholarly work focuses on community, leadership and career preparation. She is also Co-PI on a National Science Foundation S-STEM grant, Project-Based Service Learning and Career-Training to Support Graduation and Career Readiness of Engineering and Computing Science Majors. Dr. Atkins is an active member of national and regional sociological associations, including Sociologists for Women in Society and the Southern Sociological Society. She earned her Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Atkins is thrilled to join as co-author on the "Sociology in Our Times" and "Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials" product lines with Cengage.