For undergraduate Sociology courses in Race and Ethnic Relations. This best-selling text provides students with the most accessible, comprehensive and current introduction to the issues confronting racial and ethnic groups in both the U.S. and other countries. Organized first by issues and then by major racial and ethnic groups, the text examines each group's history, then explores its current situation and its concerns for the future. Richard Schaefer, a leading scholar in the area of racial and ethnic relations, grew up in Chicago in the 1960's, at a time when neighborhoods were going through transitions in ethnic and racial composition. He found himself increasingly intrigued by what was happening, how people were reacting, and how these changes were affecting neighborhoods and people's jobs. This life-long interest led to a career in sociology, specifically in the areas of race, gender and social class. This book grew out of his desire to help students to understand the changing dynamics of the U.S. population.