Specialized encyclopedias are great places to start researching a topic! A good encyclopedia article will provide context and background to better inform your research. At the end of the article there will be list of relevant books and/or articles - you could search for them in the library (ask a reference librarian for help tracking them down). If you are not sure yet where to focus your research, it may suggest interesting topics to you.
The text of all of the books listed below can be viewed on your computer. If asked for a password, use your John jay email user id and password.
Sociology: A very short introduction. by 
International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences by 
International Encyclopedia of Social Sciences by 
A Dictionary of Sociology by 
Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology
Contemporary Sociological Theories by 
SAGE Glossary of the Social and Behavioral Sciences by 
Encyclopedia of Social Problems by