Few ideas are as taken for granted in modern society as the notion that people have selves. The Self in Society provides students with a thought-provoking set of readings to ignite their curiosity about this assumption. Most sociology courses aim to examine the relationship between the individual and society, but give scant attention to the individual side of the equation. Beginning with the established classic statements on the self, the readings trace the social origins of the idea that people have unique destinies they must understand and fulfill. They consider how to approach the self as a topic of study. They investigate how culture and individual experiences shape the personal self. The readings relate to sociological subfields such as race and ethnicity, sex and gender, religion, and inequality. They examine the possibility of selfhood among animals, and introduce recent research from neuroscience. Discussion questions and further readings after each chapter promote additional study. Whether used alone or as a supplement to a traditional text, The Self in Society can be a key to enhancing the sociological imagination.